New School Building

The City of Somerville is developing plans to build a new school building on the site of the former Winter Hill Community Innovation School at 115 Sycamore Street. This new facility will be a state-of-the-art educational center and a community gathering place to benefit students and their families for generations to come. 

In June 2023, the Winter Hill School on Sycamore Street closed and students relocated to the Edgerly Building on Cross Street. A Construction Advocacy Group (CAG) was then formed to study options and recommend a path forward. In late 2025, the CAG recommended building a new school at 115 Sycamore Street, with capacity for up to 925 students and space for students and staff from both Winter Hill and the Brown School, the district’s oldest school. The feasibility phase continued through Summer 2026 and was submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in August 2026, establishing the foundation for the project’s next phase.

Schematic Design began in Fall 2026 and focused solely on the preferred design, developing more detailed architectural plans, layouts, and project elements to reflect the specific school project. Community and family engagement continued throughout the process, with opportunities for feedback shared through City and SPS communications.

The City website includes a complete overview of the project, plus important documents and upcoming dates. The site is updated regularly as a vital resource for those following the New School Building Project. Residents can also sign up to receive a monthly project newsletter from the City. 

For Project FAQs, please scroll down. 

FAQ: General

While every effort is made to offer placements to students on the waitlist as soon as possible, families are strongly encouraged to explore alternative afterschool care options. Students may remain on the waitlist; however, placement is not guaranteed, and the timing of any opening is uncertain.

The length of time a student remains on the waitlist varies by school site and depends on factors such as demand, staffing, and student mobility. Programs aim to move students off waitlists as quickly as possible when space becomes available.

The district continues to expand afterschool programming where possible. Since 2016, enrollment has grown significantly, reflecting an ongoing effort to increase access and reduce waitlists.

Scheduling options vary by site. Prekindergarten students and kindergarten students at the Capuano site must enroll for five days per week. Students in grades K–5 may have options to attend three, four, or five days per week, depending on the program location.

Families who do not receive an afterschool placement are encouraged to explore other high-quality programs offered by community organizations. Resources are available through the City of Somerville’s Somerville Hub Connect.

Afterschool programming takes place at the school a student attends and is offered at all PK–8 schools.

Community Schools afterschool programs are available at all PK–8 schools for students in prekindergarten through grade 5.

FAQ: The Brown School Building

While every effort is made to offer placements to students on the waitlist as soon as possible, families are strongly encouraged to explore alternative afterschool care options. Students may remain on the waitlist; however, placement is not guaranteed, and the timing of any opening is uncertain.

The length of time a student remains on the waitlist varies by school site and depends on factors such as demand, staffing, and student mobility. Programs aim to move students off waitlists as quickly as possible when space becomes available.

The district continues to expand afterschool programming where possible. Since 2016, enrollment has grown significantly, reflecting an ongoing effort to increase access and reduce waitlists.

Scheduling options vary by site. Prekindergarten students and kindergarten students at the Capuano site must enroll for five days per week. Students in grades K–5 may have options to attend three, four, or five days per week, depending on the program location.

Families who do not receive an afterschool placement are encouraged to explore other high-quality programs offered by community organizations. Resources are available through the City of Somerville’s Somerville Hub Connect.

Afterschool programming takes place at the school a student attends and is offered at all PK–8 schools.

Community Schools afterschool programs are available at all PK–8 schools for students in prekindergarten through grade 5.

FAQ: Enrollment

While every effort is made to offer placements to students on the waitlist as soon as possible, families are strongly encouraged to explore alternative afterschool care options. Students may remain on the waitlist; however, placement is not guaranteed, and the timing of any opening is uncertain.

The length of time a student remains on the waitlist varies by school site and depends on factors such as demand, staffing, and student mobility. Programs aim to move students off waitlists as quickly as possible when space becomes available.

The district continues to expand afterschool programming where possible. Since 2016, enrollment has grown significantly, reflecting an ongoing effort to increase access and reduce waitlists.

Scheduling options vary by site. Prekindergarten students and kindergarten students at the Capuano site must enroll for five days per week. Students in grades K–5 may have options to attend three, four, or five days per week, depending on the program location.

Families who do not receive an afterschool placement are encouraged to explore other high-quality programs offered by community organizations. Resources are available through the City of Somerville’s Somerville Hub Connect.

Afterschool programming takes place at the school a student attends and is offered at all PK–8 schools.

Community Schools afterschool programs are available at all PK–8 schools for students in prekindergarten through grade 5.