EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Officials from the East Providence School District, City of East Providence, the State of Rhode Island and representatives from the Peregrine group, Ai3 Architects and Shawmut Design and Construction joined together to celebrate the official ribbon cutting on the new state-of-the-art 164,443 square foot Martin Middle School on Tuesday.
“The people of East Providence have twice gone out and overwhelmingly supported more than $300 million in school construction bonds to bring our residents a new state-of-the-art high school, new middle school and renovations to other school buildings throughout our city,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “Your vote is an investment in our city’s future and a clear affirmation that our community is committed to providing an atmosphere where there is learning across all grade levels.” These investments will not only strengthen our education system but create opportunities for generations of East Providence residents and is another example of how this city is moving forward as the best place to live, learn, work and play,” DaSilva added.
The City of East Providence and its residents approved a $148 million bond (78.2% approval) in November of 2022, with $128 million slated for Martin Middle School and an additional $20 million allocated for renovations and improvements to Waddington Elementary School. The East Providence School District broke ground on the Martin Middle School project on April 4, 2024.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the taxpayers of East Providence for their support in passing the $148 million bond to bring our community this new middle school,” Dr. Sandra Forand, East Providence Superintendent said. “This investment reflects our community’s shared commitment to providing a safe, modern and innovative learning environment that all students deserve and will benefit generations of East Providence families.” I thank the people of East Providence for believing in our schools, our educators and most importantly, our children’s future,” Dr. Forand added.
The new Martin Middle School, built adjacent to the former school, will reshape the educational landscape for students in grades 6-8 in the city of East Providence. The new facility will feature three floors, one for each grade level ( sixth on the first, seventh on the second, and eighth on the third), 34 modern classrooms equipped with flexible seating options and interactive technology, 3 collaborative learning spaces strategically located through the building to offer areas for teamwork, project-based learning and cross-curricular activities, 6 state-of-the-art science classrooms featuring lab stations, modern equipment, and safety systems to enhance STEM instruction, as well as a media center and art classrooms with a kiln to enhance the school’s ceramics and three-dimensional art offerings.
“Congratulations to the entire East Providence school community on the official opening of the new Martin Middle School,” Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. “This project reflects our commitment to creating modern, welcoming spaces that inspire learning and growth. By investing in schools like Martin Middle, we send a powerful message to students, families, and educators that their experience matters. I am deeply grateful to the state, city, and community partners whose collaboration made this achievement possible.”
Additionally, this learning space will also feature computer science and technology classrooms to provide students the opportunity to learn coding, robotics, and digital media, a chorus room, band room and a renovation to the gymnasium including new scoreboards, backboards and structural reinforcement work. The gymnasium will serve as the hub for physical education and athletics, while also functioning as a venue for school assemblies, extracurricular events and community programs.
“With deep roots here in Rhode Island, projects like this carry special meaning for our team, and we were honored to help bring the vision for East Providence’s renewed Martin Middle School to life,” Chris Maury, Head of Preconstruction, New England Region and Head of Rhode Island Operations at Shawmut Design and Construction said. “Together with our project partners, we ensured the school, its students, and the community could continue to operate seamlessly and undisturbed while ushering in this next era of learning. We’re proud to have delivered a facility that will serve students, educators, and families for years to come.”
Students at Martin Middle School will attend their first day of classes in the new building after Thanksgiving break, on Monday, December 1, 2025.
The existing half of the old building will soon be torn down to make way for the construction of the district’s new Pre-K hub, which will hold 16 classrooms. That portion of the project is slated to be complete and open in 2027.
