Burlington High School Feasibility Study Reaches Midpoint

Midway through the Burlington High School Feasibility Study, the Building Committee and design firm, Tappé Architects, have released a video to update Burlington residents and other stakeholders on the process of renovating or replacing the 360,000-square-foot building, constructed in 1971.

The high school has been high on the district's list of priorities for over a decade, but the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the state agency that allocates funding for school renovations or replacements, has declined to accept BHS into the program for the last 13 years. While the district is still attempting to appeal to the state for funding, a High School Building Committee was formed and in 2023 began the process for handling the school independently.

The district is following the MSBA process for the high school, including performing a feasibility study to determine the existing conditions and educational plan and investigating the different options for creating a school building and campus that "meets the needs for students, teachers, and the entire community for years to come."

The process, which formally began in March of 2024, is currently about midway to completion. To date, the School Building Committee and design firm have held a series of visioning sessions to hear from staff, students, and community members what the needs are for the educational space. They've also conducted measurements and surveys both inside and outside the building. Several options for addition, addition-renovation, and full replacement will be presented to the School Building Committee in the coming months and, after one broad option is selected, the work will begin to focus in on the schematic designs and come to a final proposal with a budget. That will mark the end of the feasibility study and give the School Building Committee, School Committee, and other stakeholders something to chew on along with the other capital projects the town will be undertaking. This proposal isn't expected until at least mid-2025, but this schedule is subject to change.

"We are excited about partnering with Burlington and developing ideas for the future of Burlington High School," said Project Manager, David Gould, from Tappé Architects.  "We have enjoyed interacting with staff, students and parents so far, and look forward to continuing conversations with them and other community members.  All of these interactions are instrumental in generating concepts as the project moves forward."

For more information regarding the Burlington High School Feasibility Study, visit the project's website at bhsbuildingproject.com and look out for some Community Listening Sessions in September where you can offer your input to the High School Building Committee and Tappé directly.

For more information on the state of school buildings in Burlington, check out our Buzz In-Depth report.