Students break ground for new Congdon-DeValles School
Students from the James B. Congdon and John B. DeValles Elementary Schools joined city, state and school leaders in a ceremonial groundbreaking today for construction of a new combined school, the Congdon-DeValles Elementary School. Slated to open in 2027, the new school will replace the old Congdon (erected in 1907) and DeValles (erected in 1912).
Bruce J. Oliveira, Chair, School Building Committee and emcee for the groundbreaking welcomed students and officials to the site, located at 350 Bolton Street.
“The new Congdon-DeValles school will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for generations of South End students,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “It represents an enormous investment in the Goulart Square neighborhood, which will pay off for years to come.”
Mary Pichetti, Executive Director, Massachusetts School Building Authority, noted “The new school will allow the district to retire two school structures that are 113 and 118 years old. We want to congratulate New Bedford on their very competitive bidding process, which has brought this project well under the estimate.”
Andrew O’Leary, Superintendent, New Bedford Public Schools, stated “Our students are here, our families are here and it is so exciting to know that many of these students will be in this new school. We are excited to partner with the MSBA in making investments throughout the New Bedford district.”
Ryan Pereira, Ward 6 City Councilor, remarked “Investing in education is investing in our future. This school will enable educators to teach in a 21st century setting, but most importantly, empower our children to learn, to feel safe, to be welcomed, to have fun, and to just be kids.”
State Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral noted the building is a major investment in the neighborhood and expressed appreciation that the new school will retain its original namesakes. “Fr. DeValles lived and worked in this neighborhood and his family came here from the Azores and Cape Verde. We are proud the name remains; he is not only a national hero, he is our hero.”
The new 124,000 square foot, 3-story school will accommodate 760 students in grades K-5.
The 80-room complex will include a cafetorium, gymnasium, STEM lab for grades 3-5, central library with 2 satellite areas, nurse/health office, 2 art studios, family center plus gym and café, and over 30 spaces/rooms dedicated to special needs (sensory, OT/PT, Language Learners, counselling, and intervention).
The building will feature many technological and environmental innovations, including a high efficiency fossil free HVAC system utilizing ground source heat pumps tied to geothermal wells and renewable on site generated solar energy.
Total budget for the project is approximately $120 million.
Situated on 8 landscaped acres of native and low-maintenance plantings, exterior features of the school campus include on-site parking for all staff and visitors, electric charging stations, large and varied playground, dedicated and separate bus and parent drop-off lanes/zones, and an artificial turf soccer field.