Braintree’s new South Middle School is part of Braintree Public Schools’ (BPS) plan to relieve overcrowding in the Town’s elementary schools by integrating fifth grade into the middle schools. When complete, South Middle School will serve 800 students in grades 5–8. Promoting equity across the Town, the programming and design of South Middle School complements that of East Middle School, recently renovated and expanded by MDS.

The new school replaces the existing 1950s South Middle School. MDS’s scope of services began with a comprehensive assessment of the existing school and its capacity. Multiple renovation and expansion options were analyzed, considering estimated costs, construction schedules, energy performance benefits, and impact on occupants. The study determined that a new two-story building located on the same site of the existing school was the preferred option. Taking advantage of the generous site, the existing school remains occupied while the new school is constructed. Ultimately, the existing school building will be repurposed for other Town uses.

In support of BPS’s strategic plan and educational programming goals, the new school is highly efficient, educationally appropriate, and supportive of collaboration and programmatic connections. Learning environments are adaptable and flexible, and frame small learning communities within the larger school. Similar to Braintree’s East Middle School, South Middle School operates with an “academies” concept. Grades 5–6 and 7–8 are organized in separate wings with independent learning environments and circulation patterns. Each area reinforces the small school concept and enables the consolidation of the community oriented, public spaces to provide easy, controlled access for the public.