To Explore Construction of New School Building
WORCESTER — Thursday, May 1, 2025 — The City of Worcester and Worcester Public Schools (WPS) were informed April 30 that the Board of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the state agency that helps fund public school building construction, approved a Feasibility Study for Burncoat High School.
The action means the City and WPS have entered into the next phase of the process that could lead to the construction of a new school building. The Feasibility Study does not indicate project approval, but is an invitation to explore solutions to identified facility problems. It is a required step in the MSBA school construction process.
Burncoat High School is the highest priority school for a construction project in WPS. The City and WPS have sought MSBA funding for a new Burncoat building since 2008.
“When I first ran for Mayor, my priority was to rebuild South, Doherty, and Burncoat. I feel tremendous gratitude for our State Treasurer, Deb Goldberg, the MSBA leadership and staff, for their vision and support in our schools and for their investment in the City of Worcester,” Mayor Joseph M. Petty said. “With Burncoat in the pipeline, I feel that I have fulfilled my promise to the community, and to our scholars.”
“This important step brings us closer to realizing the enhanced educational opportunities our scholars deserve,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Schools. “I am grateful for the MSBA’s support for this important project that will allow us to better serve our future high school students in a rapidly changing world.”
“As a city, we continue to prioritize our common goal of investing in quality education,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “Collaboration is key to pushing these projects forward and I appreciate the MSBA’s support as we work toward modernizing our schools and investing in our youth’s future.”
The MSBA Board’s vote of approval follows the City’s timely completion of all of the requirements of the MSBA’s Eligibility Period, which began in July 2024.
The City of Worcester’s Public Facilities Department is overseeing the project in close collaboration with Worcester Public Schools.
The entire Burncoat High School construction process is expected to take 5-7 years in total. The current building was constructed in 1964.
Burncoat is home to the district’s magnet performing arts program. The Feasibility Study provides the district with an opportunity to examine how to potentially increase and enhance academic, enrichment and career technical programming in a new facility.
Burncoat High shares a campus and arts programming with Burncoat Middle School. The MSBA will be working with the City to determine if a potential new school will serve grades 9-12, as the current high school does, or will add grades 7 and 8 to combine the middle school into the possible new building.
WPS and the City opened a new Doherty Memorial High School last August using MSBA funding. In recent years, MSBA funding was used to open North High School, Nelson Place Elementary School, and South High Community School.
Worcester East Middle School is in the process of replacing windows through a federal indoor air quality and ventilation grant.
Media Contacts
Worcester Public Schools:
Dan O'Brien, Chief Communications Officer
Mayor's Office:
Eliana Agudelo, Chief of Staff
City Manager's Office:
Tom Matthews, Media and Public Relations Administrator