HMFH Architects

Beyond individual grade-level classrooms, the design creates opportunities for learning throughout the building and reinforces the school’s ‘Succeed Anywhere’ motto.

This adaptive reuse of a former nursing home accommodates a neighborhood-based charter school “that integrates education with social services and health care programs for the benefit of students and their families that otherwise have limited public educational opportunities.” An outgrowth of the Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, this Pre-K –8 school includes two classrooms for each elementary grade level, clusters of middle school classrooms, a cafeteria, media center, and art, computer, music and science classrooms. In addition, KIDLAB, a multi-disciplinary classroom integrating art and science accommodates project-based learning.

Because NHCS functions as a community center as well as a school, the new facility includes spaces for the delivery of such programs as family services, a parent center, community teaching and adult education. These facilities serve the community during non-school hours and a full-size gymnasium was planned as a future phase of the project.