Boston: Mayor Wu, Superintendent Skipper Cut Ribbon on Josiah Quincy Upper School

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~ Boston, MA - Mayor Michelle Wu, along with Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, Treasurer and Receiver General Deb Goldberg, and members of the Chinatown community gathered today for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly constructed Josiah Quincy Upper School. The school, which serves grades 6-12, is located in Chinatown and boasts state-of-the-art facilities to support students in reaching their full potential.

The $223.6 million construction project was a joint effort between the City of Boston and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), with over $54 million provided by the MSBA. The six-story steel-framed building can accommodate 650 students and 84 staff members, with 35 educational spaces and 29 classrooms. It also includes an auditorium with 435 seats, a black box theater with 125 seats, a gym spanning 10,000 square feet, and a cafeteria with approximately 250 seats.

Construction on the new facility began in June 2021 and was completed last month. Mayor Wu expressed her excitement for students to experience their new learning environment, stating that "students learn best when they are fully supported with a nurturing and inspiring environment." She also commended the hard work put into making this school a better place for students, educators, and the entire school community.

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In addition to traditional classrooms and performance spaces, the Josiah Quincy Upper School features several unique amenities. These include a media center, seminar/conference room, cafeteria serving fresh food cooked on-site, an alternative physical education room for occupational and physical therapy sessions, a fitness center complete with dance floor and trainer's space for student-athletes' individual consultations. Each floor also has administrative and support spaces such as resource rooms for individualized learning needs.

Outside site improvements were also made as part of this project. This included landscaping and repaving of surrounding alleys, streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks to enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the school.

Superintendent Skipper expressed her enthusiasm for the new school, calling it "a beacon of opportunity and innovation for our students." She also highlighted the collaboration and dedication of the City, Commonwealth, MSBA, and community partners in making this dream a reality. The Josiah Quincy Upper School offers access to the International Baccalaureate diploma program, further emphasizing its commitment to providing a world-class education.

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who also serves as Chair of the MSBA, shared her excitement for this new beginning for students and teachers at the Josiah Quincy Upper School. She emphasized that the MSBA partners with cities to build 21st-century state-of-the-art facilities and is proud to celebrate this milestone with the Boston community.

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The project began in February 2012 with thorough planning and multiple feasibility studies before settling on its current location at 249 Harrison Avenue. The former site of the Boston Chinese Evangelical Church was chosen as the ideal location for this new school building.

Carleton Jones, Executive Director of Boston's Public Facilities Department (PFD), expressed his delight in announcing the opening of Josiah Quincy Upper School. He highlighted some unique features of the building, such as a rooftop outdoor classroom and modern learning spaces throughout. Jones also mentioned that each floor has a collaborative space for staff, promoting lifelong learning within the JQUS community.

The JQUS project is on track to achieve LEED Platinum certification, which is their highest sustainability rating. It excels in categories such as efficiency, resiliency, and air quality. The building was designed by HMFH Architects Inc., with Skanska USA Building serving as owner's project manager and Turner Construction Company as construction manager. The Boston Public Schools Capital Planning Department and City of Boston Public Facilities Department also played crucial roles in bringing this project to fruition.

As students begin their academic year at the newly constructed Josiah Quincy Upper School, they can look forward to a supportive and inspiring learning environment that will help them reach their full potential. This project serves as a testament to the City of Boston's commitment to providing quality education for its students.

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