Boston's Dearborn School Approved for $37.3 Million MSBA Grant

Groundwork Laid for Construction of State’s First-Ever STEM/Early College Academy

Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chairman of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy today announced that the MSBA Board of Directors has voted to approve a grant of up to $37.3 million to build a new Henry Dearborn STEM/Early College Academy in Roxbury.  The new school, which will host and educate grades six through twelve, will be the first of its kind in the state to instruct middle and high school students exclusively in a STEM curriculum.

“The new Dearborn School has been one of my top priorities as Chairman of the MSBA, and we have worked tirelessly with school administrators to ensure that it will have the infrastructure and facilities to train City of Boston students for the demands and jobs of the innovation economy,” said Grossman.  “I’m delighted that we’re taking this substantial step forward and that this grant will help make good on a commitment to make Dearborn Academy a reality.”

One of the next steps is for the Boston School District and the MSBA to enter into a Project Funding Agreement, which will detail the project’s scope and budget, along with the conditions under which the City will receive its MSBA grant.

Dearborn Academy will be built based on a design enrollment of 600 students.  The MSBA will contribute 75.34% of eligible costs toward the project, for a total grant of up to $37,370,642.  The current school was built in 1912 and suffers from deficiencies in major building systems including mechanical, electrical and plumbing.  The new school will have state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities that will better prepare students for college and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“The new Dearborn Academy School will replace an aging school with an up-to-date, 21st century learning facility,” stated Executive Director McCarthy. “Students will soon have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom.”

Grossman and McCarthy have toured the school on several occasions and have praised the hard work and commitment of students, parents and school administrators to highlight the benefits of the innovative project.  

The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities.  Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over $10.4 billion in reimbursements for school capital improvement projects.  MSBA reimbursements have saved districts over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.