LYNN — Eastern Bank has presented Lynn Public Schools (LPS) with a $2 million donation as part of the celebration for the relocation of Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy on Wednesday.
The City acquired the former Eastern Bank headquarters at 195 Market St. in 2024. It then repurposed it into the new location for Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, relocated the LPS administrative offices from Bennett Street, and created additional space for the growing pre-K program on Bennett Street.
This year, Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy opened its new Market Street location with 446 students, which is almost twice as many as in 2024-2025, when it was located at North Shore Community College’s Lynn Campus
The projected enrollment for 2026-27 is 625. Moving the school administration to Market Street resulted in the addition of pre-K seats at Bennett Street, part of an overall increase of 118 seats, or 23%, across the district in 2025. Lynn Public Schools also increased the number of full-day slots by more than double, from 171 in 2023-24 to 409 in 2024-25.
Relocating to 195 Market St. not only allowed for expansion, but saved the City money in lease payments to run the program out of district. The procurement of the Eastern Bank building was the catalyst for this unprecedented growth, according to a press release.
“We knew that acquiring this building would provide a unique opportunity for us in our goal to relieve the critical overcrowding issue in our school facilities. We were excited when Eastern Bank responded to the RFP and appreciate the opportunity to work with the bank to make our plans come to fruition,” said Mayor Jared Nicholson.
Bob Rivers, executive chair and chair of the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank, said, “Eastern has a longstanding connection to the City of Lynn dating back more than 200 years to our roots on the North Shore. Today, that connection continues through our many employees who live and work in the community and are proud graduates of Lynn Public Schools. For many years, 195 Market St. played a meaningful role in our organization’s success, and we are proud to work with the City of Lynn as it repurposes the building to support the future education of Lynn’s students.”
Massachusetts Secretary of Education and former Lynn Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler expressed his gratitude for the partnership between Lynn and Eastern Bank.
“To see an idea transformed into an incredible place for learning, I’m filled with gratitude and hope. The launch of FDCA in Lynn took vision, persistence, and the tireless efforts of many. FDCA is already changing lives, and with this move to 195 Market St., this amazing space, the program now has a permanent home. Thanks to the $2 million grant from Eastern Bank, this place is a hub of innovation and opportunity,” Dr. Tutwiler said.
LPS Superintendent Dr. Evonne Alvarez spoke about what the donation represents for FDCA students.
“Today, we celebrate more than just the opening of a building. We’re celebrating a promise that we kept to our high school students. Each seat in this building represents more than just furniture. It represents a dream, a goal, and someone’s future. It is a seat that symbolizes a student’s journey toward becoming an LPS graduate. Together we’ve created a space that honors student’s potential and empowers their success,” she said.
