Maria Hastings Elementary School
Lexington, MA
The old Maria Hastings Elementary School was housed in a 1955 building with systems that were all past their useful life. The challenge for the new school was to create a small school feel with an emphasis on 21st Century Learning, PBL, STEM, and inclusion, despite accommodating an increased enrollment (30%). Professional learning communities are central to the school’s collaborative culture, and a spirit of inclusive community is the core of the school’s culture. The district-wide ILP program was another important consideration of the design.
The new building was constructed within feet of the old building, which was then demolished. The state-of-the-art facility incorporates sustainable technology into its systems, most notably through a geothermal system that aids in its heating a cooling, in addition to PVs.
“Working with DiNisco is nothing short of exceptional, the school is beautiful…and it works!”
Louise Lipsitz, former Hastings Elementary School Principal
