Norwood’s New High School Nears Completion Under State Model-School Program-This Day In Norwood History-April 7, 2011

Six years after Massachusetts launched a program encouraging communities to reuse approved school designs, the first high school built under the initiative was nearing completion in Norwood. The new Norwood High School, scheduled to open in the fall of 2011, followed one of the state’s “model school” designs originally created for Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.
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The $68.7 million project was expected to save Norwood between 20 and 25 percent in design costs, according to project manager Tim Bonfatti, president of Compass Project Management. By adapting an existing plan, the town also reduced change orders and qualified for an additional 5 percent in state reimbursement.
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Although based on the Whitman-Hanson design, Norwood customized the building to reflect its own identity. The exterior incorporated columns and a clock tower reminiscent of the old Norwood High, which stood directly in front of the new structure. Superintendent James Hayden, who began his role in July, said the familiar façade helped the community feel connected to the new school. The old building was slated for demolition.
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Inside, Norwood expanded the arts wing to support its strong drama and choral programs, replacing Whitman-Hanson’s culinary arts kitchen with larger performance spaces. Communities participating in the model-school program were allowed to adjust interiors and modify exteriors to avoid a uniform appearance, though customizations reduced overall savings.
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The Massachusetts School Building Authority had approved several other model schools, including Ashland and Hudson high schools, as well as Lynnfield Middle School, Ipswich Middle/High School, and four elementary schools in Fairhaven, Winthrop, Groton, and Williamstown. The program aimed to curb escalating construction costs, which had peaked with the $197.5 million Newton North High School.
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Norwood’s new school, serving 1,029 students, cost less than half of Newton North and omitted amenities such as a pool, climbing wall, and student-run restaurant. Instead, it featured an 800-seat theater, language lab, walking track above the gym, updated science and technology labs, and a 2,500-seat stadium.
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Other communities were preparing to follow Norwood’s lead. Plymouth North, Natick, Tewksbury Memorial, and Minnechaug Regional high schools were under construction using model designs. Quincy, East Bridgewater, Marshfield, and Duxbury were also in various stages of planning or approval.
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Architect Scott Dunlap of Ai3 noted that Whitman-Hanson’s design worked well because educators were deeply involved in the planning process. The building incorporated energy-efficient features, including photovoltaic panels and a rooftop water-collection system that supplied water for toilets, saving 600,000 gallons annually. These features increased state reimbursement rates.
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Communities received reimbursement ranging from 31 to 80 percent of eligible costs, depending on factors such as local income levels, energy efficiency, and participation in the model-school program. Items considered nonessential, such as pools and ice rinks, were not eligible.

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Across the region, aging school buildings faced significant challenges. Marshfield High School had received a warning from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges due to numerous deficiencies, while Norton and East Bridgewater were weighing renovation versus new construction. In many cases, renovating to modern standards approached the cost of building new.
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As Norwood prepared to open its new high school, the project stood as an early example of the state’s effort to streamline school construction, reduce costs, and encourage communities to adopt proven, adaptable designs.
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Source: The Boston Globe, April 7, 2011