Manchester Essex Regional School District (MERSD) would like to provide the community with information on the ongoing Essex Elementary School Building Project.
The Essex School Building Committee has completed the Schematic Design Phase for the proposed new Essex Elementary School. This milestone brings us one step closer to completing the long-term facilities plan established when our regional district was formed. That work began with the regional middle high school, followed by Manchester Memorial, addressing each building in order of greatest need.
The proposed school is designed around how children learn and how teachers support them, with learning spaces and facilities comparable to those at Memorial in a building sized for Essex’s enrollment. Classrooms will be grouped by grade, with nearby spaces for small-group instruction, hands-on learning, and student support. Spaces for art, music, library activities, and projects will give students room to explore their interests and creativity.
Two integrated preschool classrooms and the RISE and ACE special education programs will serve children from both towns in accessible spaces designed to meet their needs. The project also addresses drainage and traffic circulation and includes outdoor learning and play areas, a field, and shared spaces for school and community activities.
The proposed school would replace the existing 1957 building with a facility designed around Essex Elementary’s educational program and enrollment. It would provide facilities comparable to Manchester Memorial, scaled to serve 250 students in kindergarten through grade five and 30 preschool students. The design organizes classrooms into learning neighborhoods with nearby small-group rooms and shared instructional spaces. It includes integrated special education supports, two preschool classrooms, and dedicated spaces for art, music, library, physical education, and dining. Site improvements include separated bus and parent circulation, accessible play areas, improved pedestrian routes, and outdoor learning and recreation spaces.
The project is estimated to cost $95.3 million, with an anticipated $20.79 million contribution to the funding coming from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The remaining $74.56 million cost will be divided according to the regional agreement, approximately two-thirds from Manchester-by-the-Sea and one-third from Essex.
With Schematic Design complete, the building and site plans, project budget, and construction approach are available for community review. Please visit the Essex Elementary School Building Project website for more information. The FAQs and informational video series are helpful starting points for learning about the plans, educational benefits, project costs, and construction process. The website also includes presentations, building designs, and ongoing project updates.
