Several Educational Videos on the Coakley Middle School project explain the existing conditions of the current Coakley building.
Click here to view: video #2 on daylighting
In the existing building, over 40% of core academic spaces, including the library media center, do not have views to the outdoors and rely solely on electrical lighting. Studies have shown that connection to the outdoors and natural light are beneficial to students’ wellbeing and can impact academic performance.
Click here to view: video #3 on undersized classrooms
About 85% of the educational spaces in the existing building do not meet the space requirements of the MSBA. This lack of space limits space for students, as well as educational tools and supplies. Six isolated classrooms are also located in modular units connected to the building, all of which are also undersized and have outlived their temporary use.
Click here to view: video #4 on the educational layout
In the past, two junior high schools served Norwood, the current Coakley and the current Savage Center. The layout of these sister schools combined grade level by program, similar to traditional high schools. The current Coakley is laid out with rings of classrooms around a center, not allowing for proper separation between grades levels, nor lending itself to the teaming structure the middle school implements.
Click here to view: video #6 on MEPFP infrastructure
Though the Coakley building is well maintained, it has many aging systems and requires updates to meet code requirements. The current heating and cooling system in the Coakley is operational, but has a number of non-functioning units that cause leaks. The building also requires additional cooling systems as the HVAC system is insufficient for the whole building, and the building needs many more electrical outlets throughout the building to support the increase in technology use for education.
Furthermore, the current fire alarm system does not have adequate detector coverage, and parts of the system do not meet ADA requirements. The current lighting in the building is also not up to energy code.
Click here to view: video #7 on accessibility compliance
Several aspects of the current building do not meet accessibility code compliance for individuals with disabilities. These aspects include door hardware, the main office and library check-in desks, building signage, many plumbing fixtures, stairs and fire protection systems. The building’s two existing elevators also create challenges as they are not in locations that allow for easy access between parts of the building.
View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.