Model School Program

Savings Through Innovation

The Model School Program seeks to effectively adapt and re-use the design of successful, recently constructed elementary, middle and high schools. Model Schools are efficient in design and easy to maintain, contain optimal classroom and science lab space, can easily accommodate higher or lower enrollments, incorporate sustainable, “green” design elements when possible and are flexible in educational programming spaces while encouraging community use.

Districts participating in the Model School Program are eligible to receive five additional percentage points which are added to the base rate of MSBA reimbursement. In the current economy, the savings and higher reimbursements can mean the difference between a school district being able to afford a new facility and being forced to continue using a deficient one.

Districts across the Commonwealth are participating in the Model School Program:

Douglas Elementary School
Duxbury Middle/High School
East Bridgewater High School
Fairhaven Elementary School
Franklin High School
Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District - Minnechaug High School
Harwich-Chatham Regional High School
Hingham Middle School
Marshfield High School
Natick High School
Newburyport - Bresnahan Elementary School
Norwood High School
Plymouth North High School
Quincy Middle School
Somerset-Berkley Regional High School
Tewksbury Memorial High School
West Springfield High School
Westfield - Abner Gibbs Elementary School

Model School Program Task Force

The Model School Task Force was created to provide recommendations for supplementing and improving the Model School Program. Learn more about the task force, see our current members, and view upcoming meeting dates on the Model School Task Force page.

Case Study: Model School Program Realizes $30 Million in Savings for Norwood

In May 2008, when the Town of Norwood entered into discussions with the MSBA about building a new high school, the proposed cost for the 203,000 square foot project was over $100 million. In January 2009, MSBA’s Board of Directors approved a new 227,000 square foot school with a total budget of $73.9 million.

This approximate $30 million in savings is a direct result of Norwood’s participation in the MSBA’s Model School Program. Rather than reinventing the wheel for each new school, the Model School Program reduces project costs and completion time by adapting proven elements from recently completed schools and tailoring them to local needs to ensure cost-efficient, easy-to-maintain designs. Thanks to this innovative and sensible program, construction in Norwood got underway in May 2009, instead of November 2009.

Board-approved participating Model Schools: