Wellesley High School - Renewal and Expansion

Renewal and Expansion

Age and maintenance issues have taken their toll on the school structure. The increasing size of the student body as well as the evolving nature of education have challenged the capability of the building to meet the needs of the school community effectively and safely. In September, 2005, the exploration of options for a new building or refurbishment was commenced by the town.

In October 2007, a public meeting was held to introduce several options for the expansion of the school, including renovation and extension of the existing building and its demolition and replacement by a completely new structure. The site has been expanded by purchase of three adjacent properties in Seaver Street and transfer of publicly owned land.

On December 10, 2008, town voters approved the project, by nearly 2 to 1 (5,026 YES to 2,869 NO), to build a new, state-of-the art high school on the parking lot next to the existing buildings. Construction began March 2010 with an estimated completion date of early 2012. It is now expected to open in February 2012, and the school will be holding a gala to say goodbye to the old building.

After much analysis, the existing structure, although a good example of the Art Deco style of Architecture, was found, by the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.), not to be a historically significant example and it will be demolished. The State authorities still hold the final say in this ruling, but the A.I.A. review should open the door to start the final site plotting. The new structure will incorporate some of the design features of the prior building and will be limited in its visual impact to be in scale with the surrounding residential neighborhood. The total cost is estimated to be $130 million with $85 million of that total to be raised from State and Federal matching funds.

Site clearance started in August, 2009 with the relocation of one house to a nearby site.