What has happened
The whole story, newest first. Every item links to the meeting or document behind it.
The eight phases
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Eligibility (complete)
April 2023 – February 2025Medford asked the MSBA for help and proved the need.
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Forming the team (complete)
March – November 2025Hired the owner's project manager (LeftField) and the designer (SMMA).
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Feasibility study (complete)
October 2025 – August 2026Studied the existing building, wrote the educational plan, compared 29 options, chose one.
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Schematic design Now
August 2026 – April 2027 (estimated)Develop the chosen option in detail, settle the scope and budget with the MSBA.
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Funding the project
March – April 2027 (estimated)Medford voters decide on a debt exclusion; the City and the MSBA sign the funding agreement.
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Detailed design
March – December 2027 (estimated)Construction drawings, from design development to 100% construction documents.
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Construction
June 2028 – June 2030 (estimated)Build it.
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Completing the project
June 2030 – December 2031 (estimated)Move in, finish the site, close out with the MSBA.
Milestones and decisions
- April 2027 · planned
MSBA Board approval of scope and budget (planned)
- April 2027 · planned
Medford votes on a debt exclusion (planned, spring 2027)
Voters decide whether to fund the City's share; the City Council authorizes borrowing; the City and MSBA sign the Project Funding Agreement.
- February 2027 · planned
Schematic Design submission to the MSBA (planned)
- Oct 6, 2026
$48.9 million off the estimated cost — 2,409 sq ft trimmed
The Building Committee approved: Final Space Reduction Efficiencies. The proposed building is now 567,877 sq ft, with an estimated total project cost of $699.9 million.
- Sep 22, 2026
$16.9 million off the estimated cost — 15,530 sq ft trimmed
The Building Committee approved: Space Reduction Efficiencies Related to Core Academic, Medford Academy, Special Education, and CTE Spaces. The proposed building is now 570,286 sq ft, with an estimated total project cost of $748.8 million.
- Sep 10, 2026
$2.9 million off the estimated cost — 2,700 sq ft trimmed
The Building Committee approved: Space Reduction Efficiencies Related to MEEP & Curtis-Tufts Therapeutic Day Program. The proposed building is now 585,816 sq ft, with an estimated total project cost of $765.7 million.
- Aug 26, 2026
MSBA accepts the project into Schematic Design
The MSBA Board of Directors approved the Preferred Schematic Report, moving the project into Module 4.
- Aug 25, 2026
$25.8 million off the estimated cost — 20,276 sq ft trimmed
The Building Committee approved: Space Reduction Efficiencies Related to Medford Community Media, Community Rental Partner Storage, Community Meeting Space, Health & PE, Auditorium Size, and Art & Music Spaces. The proposed building is now 588,516 sq ft, with an estimated total project cost of $768.6 million.
Meeting slides (reductions begin on page 12, summary on slide 23) (PDF)
- Jul 29, 2026
MSBA comments on the PSR; district responds
The MSBA sent two sets of comments on the Preferred Schematic Report (general comments and a review of the space summary). The district, LeftField and SMMA returned their responses on August 12, and on August 19 the MSBA confirmed the project would go to its Board on August 26.
- Jun 25, 2026
Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) submitted to the MSBA
Proposed building of 608,792 gross sq ft; estimated total project cost $794.4 million.
- Jun 18, 2026
10,020 sq ft trimmed from the project (saving to be confirmed)
The Building Committee approved: Reduction to CTE Toilet Rooms, Changing Rooms, Storage, & Office Spaces.
- Jun 10, 2026
Preferred option chosen: C.2.2A
An addition and renovation on the existing site: a new six-story academic building replacing the arts, academic and vocational wings, with the pool and gyms kept and renovated. Estimated at the time: $813 million total, of which Medford's share would be roughly $591 million before the MSBA reimbursement rate is final.
- May 20, 2026
MSBA comments on the PDP, and the district's response
- Apr 27, 2026
24,390 sq ft trimmed from the project (saving to be confirmed)
The Building Committee approved: Space Reductions Proposed by MPS Educational Leadership Team.
- Mar 23, 2026
29 options narrowed to 6
- Feb 25, 2026
Preliminary Design Program (PDP) submitted to the MSBA
Existing conditions, the educational plan, a space summary of 639,879 sq ft, and 29 preliminary design options.
- Jan 7, 2026
Community Forum #1
- Dec 16, 2025
Four advisory teams start meeting
Interior & Exterior Design; Sustainability & Building Systems; Educational Planning & Equity; Site, Safety & Security. Each met three times through March 2026 and handed the committee written recommendations.
- Dec 9, 2025
Educational visioning workshops
Three day-long sessions with educators (December 9 and 17) that shaped the educational plan.
- November 2025
SMMA selected as designer
Chosen through the MSBA's Designer Selection Panel process (panel meetings September 23 and October 7, 2025); the contract was on the Building Committee's November 24 agenda.
- Jun 2, 2025
LeftField selected as owner's project manager
The MSBA's OPM review panel approved the selection on June 2, 2025.
- May 12, 2025
First Building Committee meeting
- Feb 26, 2025
MSBA Board votes Medford into the Feasibility Study
A unanimous vote. The City signed the Feasibility Study Agreement that set the study in motion.
- July 2024
Enrollment study submitted
The MSBA later certified a design enrollment of 1,395 students in grades 9–12.
- Apr 30, 2024
Initial Compliance Certification signed
- Apr 13, 2023
Statement of Interest submitted to the MSBA
The first step: Medford told the Massachusetts School Building Authority why the 1970 high school no longer serves its students.
How the building size has changed
The proposed building is 567,877 sq ft as of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, with an estimated total project cost of $699.9 million. See every change to the size and cost, with its source.