Lawrence High School Campus

For those who have not visited a modern high school, the size and complexity of the new Lawrence High School might be quite surprising. This 565,000 SF campus for 3,000 students comprises six separate educational “academies”, each with its own specialized curriculum and identity. Specific program elements include a six-lane indoor running track, 3,400 seat field house, 1,300 seat performing arts center, 26 science rooms, 18 computer labs, seven art rooms, four separate day care centers and 187 classrooms.

As the city of Lawrence’s project manager, Heery provided consistency, communication and attention to detail on this signature project. When the general contractor went bankrupt, the Heery team evaluated the work in place and helped bring a new contractor aboard. To maintain the highest construction quality within the tight budget and schedule constraints, Heery established a written QA/QC plan with a separate QA/QC officer. The project received the 2008 Excellence in Program Management award from the Construction Management Association of America, New England Chapter.

Moreover, the school’s  attendance rate, which  used to struggle somewhere between 80 to 85 percent, exceeded 95 percent the first year it was open. 

Lawrence Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Wilfredo T. Laboy says, “Having a company like Heery was a godsend. They took me out of running the day to day aspects of the project. They understand what it is to work with the client. They were our eyes and ears.”