LYNN — The 2025-26 academic year in Lynn Public Schools will open with a new STEAM school and an expanded early college high school.
The City Arts and Sciences Academy at Fecteau-Leary, a grade six –12 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) school that will be designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving demands of the modern workforce, will open at 33 North Common St. in the building that currently houses Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School.
Fecteau-Leary will relocate in two stages to the former Eastern Bank headquarters at 195 Market St., a building the city purchased earlier this year. Approximately 35 Fecteau-Leary students who are enrolled in the therapeutic program will move to the Eastern Bank building next fall, with the remainder of the school going there in the fall of 2026.
Also moving to the Eastern bank building next fall will be the Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, an early college program currently housed at North Shore Community College. The relocation of that program will allow for significant expansion over the next few years.
“Establishing a STEAM academy and expanding opportunities for early college students are important initiatives that will benefit not only the students in those programs, but other schools in the district by freeing up space that is at a premium,” said Dr. Evonne S. Alvarez, superintendent of schools. “We want to equip students with essential skills in critical thinking, problem solving and innovation that will prepare them for careers in high-growth fields.”
The City Arts and Sciences Academy at Fecteau-Leary will open in the fall with 100 students in both grades six and 9 and within three years expand to a sixth through 12 school. The infrastructure of the Fecteau-Leary building requires that the science labs be located on the third floor, resulting in the relocation of the therapeutic program one year before the rest of the school.
At 195 Market St., the therapeutic program, which will share space with the Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, will have new classroom space, innovative maker space, an art room and a work room. While a new workout room is scheduled to open for the 2026 school year when the City controls all of the space in the building (Eastern Bank is renting space on two of the five floors for one year as part of the purchase agreement), LPS is exploring alternatives for exercise space in nearby locations.
The concept for the STEAM academy was developed by LPS administrators and teachers in collaboration with experts from the Center of Arts and Scholarship and multiple community partners in the areas of the arts and marine science. During the design process, team members listened to students, parents, and former graduates who shared their experiences and thoughts.
“This program will integrate advanced curricula, hands-on learning, and real-world applications to inspire and engage students from diverse backgrounds,” Alvarez said. “Within the STEAM Academy, students with special interests in the arts, design, and environment, will enter an interdisciplinary, project-based learning school.”
The conversion of 33 North Common St. to a fully enrolled STEAM Academy is being done inpartnership by LPS and the City of Lynn. Alvarez and Mayor Jared C. Nicholson and their respective teams worked together to accomplish a shared goal of opening new space wherever possible in order to limit the need for the City to lease space for educational purposes.
“We are excited to provide these innovative opportunities for students,” Nicholson said. “We have been working diligently to maximize educational space throughout the City in an efficient, cost-effective manner. The new STEAM academy and expanded Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy will benefit generations of students to come.”
Moving from North Shore Community College to 195 Market St. will allow Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy to double in enrollment within three years. Students at FDCA can earn as many as 12 college credits while still in high school. While they will be still taking their college-level classes at NSCC, their home base and high school classes will be on Market Street.
Relocating FDCA will result in significant savings on lease space at NSCC. The expansion of that program will open up some badly needed space at Lynn Classical and Lynn English, while developing student-centered conditions at FDCA that allow for more variety in high school electives and early college pathways.
