Today marks a significant chapter for Chinatown's educational landscape, as Mayor Michelle Wu along with Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper inaugurated the new Josiah Quincy Upper School. Funded through a partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which provided over $54 million, the progressive facility opened its doors just in time for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the City of Boston. Built with a generous budget of $223.6 million, the new structure is tailored to foster educational growth for its 650 students.
The six-story school, hosting 35 educational spaces and 29 classrooms, was also announced to feature an auditorium and a black box theater. Superintendent Skipper expressed excitement over the opening, celebrating the state-of-the-art offerings, such as a media center, fitness center, and performance rooms destined to serve as innovation hubs for the students. "We are thrilled to open the doors of the new Josiah Quincy Upper School, a beacon of opportunity and innovation for our students," Mary Skipper told the City of Boston.
Additional highlights of the new installation include comprehensive facilities such as seminar rooms, a cafeteria offering fresh, on-site cooked food, special education rooms for various therapies, and staff areas on each floor. Aiding students from grades 6-12, this new addition to the Boston Public Schools system embodies the commitment to a nurturing academic environment envisioned by Mayor Wu. "We are overjoyed to welcome our students to this brand new state-of-the-art building this school year," Mayor Wu told the City of Boston.
Accommodating not just educational needs, the project extended its care to other essentials with on-campus laundry rooms and a rooftop outdoor classroom, among other amenities. Envisioned to inspire lifelong learning, this project, as PFD Executive Director Carleton Jones noted to the City of Boston, also makes a push towards environmental friendliness aiming for LEED Platinum certification. "We are especially excited about the features that make this building unique," Jones said, celebrating the investment into the future of the community's youth.
The Josiah Quincy Upper School stands as a testament to the city's dedication to educational excellence and community upliftment. With the collective efforts of the City of Boston, MSBA, and various partner organizations, the project brought to life a premise where Boston's young minds can thrive. The entire construction process was overseen by the expertise of HMFH Architects, Inc., Skanska USA Building, and Turner Construction Company, culminating in a much-anticipated opening that promises to shape the trajectories of its attendees.
