Shawmut is completing the all-new Hildreth Elementary School in Harvard, Massachusetts. Scheduled for completion in spring 2021, the new, state-of-the art school will span 85,200 square feet and accommodate 445 students in grades PK-5, creating a modern, 21^st century learning environment.

Shawmut, in partnership with Arrowstreet, NV5, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority, broke ground on the new school building this summer. When completed, the space will include 25 core classrooms, a media center, open-styled lobby, cafeteria, gymnasium, art room, superintendent and administrative support staff offices, a state-of-the art STEM center, and flexible learning spaces.

“We are honored to be a part of this monumental project for the Town of Harvard,” said Ron Simoneau, vice president at Shawmut. “By leveraging our vast experience in the education and institutional sectors, our team will deliver a modern learning environment that meets the educational vision of this high-performing school district, while depicting the character and values of the town.”

The Shawmut team will perform all work on the occupied Hildreth Elementary School site in two phases. The first phase of construction includes the ground-up construction of the new school, which will be built adjacent to the existing building, and is designed to enhance overall connectivity and collaborative learning. The core classrooms will include flexible learning spaces, accommodating individual, as well as large and small group learning needs. Shawmut’s team will also create a strong sense of community and collaboration though an innovation lab to facilitate STEM learning.

The second phase of construction will begin with the demolition of the existing Hildreth Elementary School building and include outdoor site enhancements. In addition to the development of outdoor play areas, which will include two playgrounds and a sports field, the new site will also feature an updated bus drop-off lane, clearer pick-up/drop-off zones, and 96 designated parking spaces. Once completed, the school will include environmentally-focused design elements, such as storm water mitigation measures and rooftop solar panels.

Shawmut’s work on Hildreth Elementary School represents the latest in the firm’s extensive academic portfolio, with recently completed projects including Billerica Memorial High School and Arlington Gibbs School in Massachusetts, Cranston’s Eden Park Elementary in Rhode Island, along with current projects with Noble and Greenough School and Ransom Everglades School.