Future Clap/Winthrop 2026 - 2027 School (Frederick Elementary School)
February 2026 Update
Dear Winthrop and Clap School Communities,
The Boston Public Schools Capital Planning team, in collaboration with the BPS Schools team, is writing to share updates regarding the grade configuration map, design teams, and construction at the new Frederick Elementary School.
Grade Configuration Map Update
The Capital Planning team is excited to announce that the Frederick will have a standalone K0 classroom in the 26-27 school year, replacing a K0/K1 classroom. This shift reflects the district’s response to the evolving needs of families in the Grove Hall community, including increased demand for K0 seats. The grade configuration map below shows the most up to date configuration of the Frederick in SY26-27.
HR = Homeroom classrooms
HR-TLK = Homeroom Cape Verdean Kriolu classroom
ABA = Applied Behavioral Analysis (special education classroom)
Design Team Updates
The three Design Team committees have been hard at work since November 2025 and have a number of key updates to share on their work below. To ensure families remain a part of the process, the Design Teams created a family and a staff survey (in multiple languages) to receive feedback (see next page for the link).
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Academic Design Team Committee: We have made recommendations for teaming and staffing plans and are drafting an inclusion plan for the school. We also have discussed possible programming experiences for students. We are working closely with staff at both schools to make recommendations around departmentalization and specialist content areas.
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Engagement Design Team Committee: We have been planning community building events, feedback opportunities, and partnerships. Stay tuned for a Reveal Event for the school’s mascot, school colors, and core values at the conclusion of the engagement process!
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Culture & Operations Design Team Committee: We are creating a blueprint for the student handbook and drafted a mission statement. We look forward to receiving community feedback and continuing to plan for new traditions and school culture events for next school year!
A full update on Design Team work can be found in the newsletter →.
Families: We want YOUR feedback!
Please share your voice by completing the Family survey. Scan the QR code!
Construction and Facilities Improvements Updates
A contract has been awarded for playground construction to Omasta Landscaping and the contract execution is underway. Construction is estimated to begin in April 2026.
A contract for internal facilities improvements will be awarded in February 2026 and construction is estimated to begin in March 2026.
We will continue to share updates regarding the merger as plans progress. Please contact the BPS Office of Capital Planning at capitalplanning@bostonpublicschools.org with any questions or concerns.
With gratitude,
Delavern Stanislaus Dr. Natalie Diaz Ake
Chief of Capital Planning Region 3 School Superintendent
Boston Public Schools Boston Public Schools
The Frederick will be fully inclusive to students with disabilities and launch a new, first-of-its-kind dual language program for Cabo Verdean Creole, starting at the K1 level.
After multiple walkthroughs of the Frederick building, the District and the City’s Public Facilities Department has committed to delivering on the following before the start of the 2026-2027 school year when the merged community moves in:
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A playground to support a Pre-K - Grade 6 students;
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Renovated interior spaces to support Pre-K; and
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Visual updates, including ceiling, floor, and wall patching along with fresh paint, to make the school a welcoming place for an elementary school community
The school start time for the merged school will be 8:30 AM (arrival: 8:15 AM) beginning in the fall of 2026, the same current start time as the Winthrop School.
For next year (2025), the part-time School Psychologist at the Clap will be the same individual who serves as the part-time School Psychologist at the Winthrop, so that all students will have the opportunity to navigate this change with a common person who is knowledgeable about the merger.
Next year will be a planning year for the school communities. Principals Blake McKetty and Fialka-Feldman, with the support of Capital Planning and other central office teams, will map out the planning year in more depth over the summer. Our shared goal is to communicate back to both communities how you can be involved in shaping your future school community, and on what timeline, including the below:
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School culture (values, colors)
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Community-building events with both school communities
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Honoring the Clap & the Winthrop schools
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Inclusion planning (staff)
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Dual language planning (staff)
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Operational procedures for building close-outs and for the new building (staff)
The District will share an update on the future staffing plans in the fall. As a reminder, our goal is to add new classrooms through this merger, not reduce classrooms.
To stay informed and involved, we encourage you to:
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Subscribe to the Capital Planning Newsletter for regular updates and important announcements.
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Reach out to the Capital Planning team at (capitalplanning@bostonpublicschools.org) at any time with questions or ideas.
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For our students with disabilities, students and families can reach out directly to Assistant Director of the Office of Specialized Services, John Florence, jflorence@bostonpublicschools.org with any additional questions.
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For our multilingual learners, students and families can reach out directly to Deputy Chief of Operations and Accountability for OMME, Brittany Baggett, at bbaggett@bostonpublicschools.org and Deputy Chief of Instruction for OMME, Elena Luna, at eluna@bostonpublicschools.org with any additional questions.
