Newton, MA Acella Construction Corp. has been awarded the new Student Center project for the Jackson – Walnut Park Schools. 

 Acella began preconstruction in January of this year, and a groundbreaking ceremony for the $5 million project is set for this month at the site for the 10,000 s/f Student Center in the heart of the schools’ Newton campus. The new building is the realization of the schools’ “Building Our Future” vision to “Open the Mind and Grow the Heart” for its students. Acella’s Ryan Klebes, senior project manager and LEED AP, is overseeing the construction, with completion planned for the spring of 2018.

Anne Murphy, president of the Jackson – Walnut Park Schools, said, “With Acella Construction, we feel as though we have found a partner, not just in our project, but in our work and our mission as a Catholic school.  Dave and his team understand our values and what we are trying to accomplish for our students.  They share our commitment to our students, and they share our commitment to building a quality, state-of-the-art facility, on time and on budget.  We are thrilled to be moving forward with Acella.”

Acella’s extensive expertise with academic clients was a key factor in the Jackson – Walnut Park Schools’ project award decision. Acella’s education projects range from work with prestigious New England private and independent schools to higher education clients such as MIT, Northeastern, Boston College and Boston University. Independent school clients include Thayer Academy, Groton School, Sacred Heart School, and Cardinal Spellman High School

Acella is working in partnership with Ai3 Architects on this project.  The two firms have worked on several prior projects, including athletic, theater, dining and music facilities for private and independent secondary schools.

Ai3 is widely recognized for its creative design solutions for socialization and learning. The Student Center for the Jackson – Walnut Park Schools is an inspired design that integrates a gymnasium, performance stage, culinary classroom, and music space – and complements the school’s historic landmark building (a 1867 Second Empire mansion), with a contemporary design that promotes 21st century learning.

“We are grateful to assist Jackson – Walnut Park Schools, and partner once more with Ai3 Architects to create healthier, high-performing learning environments,” said Dave Dirubbo, president of Acella. “We look forward to seeing this new space benefit the students in a myriad of ways.”