WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – An exciting day for West Springfield residents, who took part in the dedication ceremony for the new Coburn School.
The newly built elementary school occupies the site of a former school building on Southworth Street, which was originally the West Springfield Junior High School. Named in honor of the late Phillip G. Coburn the longtime owner and editor of the town’s newspaper, the West Springfield Record, the school’s name will remain the same. It serves grades pre-k through fifth grade.
This $60 million project was completed within three years of its construction, which began in 2020. The school now consists of three floors and can hold nearly 700 students. West Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefania Raschilla told 22News, “There’s additional spaces for science, for art, for the music classes. As we look for safe and supportive environments for our students those are the types of building that we want to build.”
Other amenities include physical education spaces, two playgrounds, basketball courts, and multi-purpose fields. The superintendent says she is looking to collaborate with the town’s Parks and Recreation Department and the community organizations to consider programs that can be offered after school or during the summer.