Building Design

The new school will be built in two phases. During Phase 1, grades 7 and 8 will continue to use the existing school while the new building is constructed behind the existing Pollard building. Once Phase 1 is complete, students will move into the new school, the existing Pollard building will be demolished, and Phase 2 will begin with construction of the new 6th-grade wing. This approach allows for a lower overall building height and a dedicated 6th-grade wing.

The Pollard site is highest at the north end near Harris Avenue, and slopes down at the south end near the commuter rail tracks. The new building design takes advantage of the grade change: two- and three-story sections will be built into the slope, creating a total of four levels across the entire school. 

The building is designed around a central core or hub that contains school administration and common areas such as the cafeteria, library, gymnasium, and spaces for art, music, and other enrichments. Three classroom wings surround this core: one for 6th grade, and two for 7th and 8th grades. The grade wings include academic and special education classrooms as well as centrally located collaboration space.

Both High Rock and Pollard currently lack sufficient space. By today's standards, most of the classrooms are undersized, as well as common areas such as the libraries, gyms, cafeterias, and performance spaces. The areas will be right-sized to meet the needs of the curriculum, and designed to be flexible and multi-use.