ROXBURY, Mass. — Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Public Schools (BPS) recently celebrated the opening of the Dearborn STEM 6-12 Early College Academy, the first school in Boston intentionally designed and built for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning.

The state-of-the-art, 128,000-square-foot facility is located just outside of Dudley Square in Roxbury, and features flexible indoor and outdoor learning spaces, two fabrication labs also known as “fab labs,” modern technology such as 3D printers and laser die cutters, a gymnasium, a dance studio, a media center, an abundance of natural light with views of the downtown Boston skyline from several classrooms and sophisticated green energy systems.

“This magnificent school — and the powerful educational work that will happen within it — truly demonstrates to our students that the Boston Public Schools cares about them, and that we believe they have what it takes to succeed in the innovation economy,” said BPS Interim Superintendent Laura Perille. “Today’s celebration represents years of thoughtful collaboration with local and state government, and many community organizations and partners. I could not be more excited.”

The building was designed by the firm Jonathan Levi Architects of Boston and built by Gilbane, Inc. in partnership with Janey Construction Management. The design and construction of the project was managed by the City of Boston Public Facilities Department in collaboration with Daedalus Project Managers.

The $73 million facility was the first new school construction project in the Boston Public Schools in 15 years, and is seen as a model for future projects through the BuildBPS educational and facilities master plan. About $37 million of the total cost was reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

The design of the new school is based upon the project-based learning curriculum. The academic spaces are organized by cohort, which includes educational classrooms, science laboratories, special education instructional space, and shared amenities. The school was built to serve 600 BPS students by 2020. Currently, 488 students are enrolled as the school begins to expand.

Since 2014, Mayor Walsh and BPS have secured more than $110 million in MSBA funds to support new school buildings and facility renovations, which includes $30 million from the MSBA Accelerated Repair Program to fund for new boilers, windows, and roofs in school buildings across the city.

“I am thrilled to open the Dearborn STEM Academy and continue the trend of new beginnings in the City of Boston,” said Mayor Walsh. “Students, teachers, and families are excited for all the possibilities the new year brings. And we, as a City, are making historic investments in our youth and our communities. I can’t wait to see this school grow, and know that Dearborn students are going to do remarkable things in their new home.”

Located at 36 Winthrop Street in Roxbury, the new Dearborn STEM Academy is at the same location of the Henry Dearborn School, which was built in 1913 when it opened as the High School of Practical Arts. At the time, the school taught classes in cooking, laundry, sewing, nursing, and home economics for young women. The school was closed and re-opened in 1954 as Girls’ High School. It operated as Roxbury High School from 1974-1981, and it was designated the Henry Dearborn School in 1981. Since 2014, Dearborn STEM Academy has operated in a shared space with the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester while the current building was under construction.

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The ASCE used data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Department of Education and National Center on Education Statistics, and found that 24 percent of public school buildings were rated as being in fair or poor condition.

“In many cases, planning is lacking, as four in 10 public schools currently do not have a long-term educational facilities plan in place to address operations and maintenance,” according to ASCE’s report. “The main reason for repair, renovation or modernization work on school facilities relates to improving energy efficiency as well as technology infrastructure.”

Underinvestment in school facilities due to fiscal woes has resulted in a $38 billion estimated annual budget gap for repairs and modernizations. Altogether, more than half of public schools need such investments to be considered in “good” condition, according to the report. States are not graded individually within the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card.

“Public schools serve as critical learning environments for the next generation, yet the facilities received a poor ‘D+’ grade in the Report Card. This is concerning because recent studies indicate that public schools’ conditions may affect student performance,” said Greg DiLoreto, past president of ASCE and chair of the Committee on America’s Infrastructure. “In contrast, quality facilities can help improve student achievement, reduce truancy and raise staff morale and retention. If we want the next generation to receive a quality education, school facilities that provide healthy, safe and modern learning environments are a part of it.”

Founded in 1852, ASCE is the nation’s oldest engineering society, representing more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession. The ASCE Committee on America’s Infrastructure, which authored the Infrastructure Report Card, is comprised of 28 civil engineers from around the country, representing decades of collective experience.

More than 10 years ago, when School Construction News last reported on the Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE similarly graded the infrastructure of public schools a mere D.

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