Westford Real Estate Insider
Westford Robinson School Project: Possible Sites, School Closures & What Homeowners Should Know
Current status: seven alternatives under study in the MSBA feasibility process.
By Mary McCauley, REALTOR® · Last updated
Quick summary
Westford has narrowed 18 preliminary designs to seven alternatives. Two would keep Robinson on its current site; five would close Robinson and shift elementary schools to a K–5 configuration. The remaining choices include renovation or new construction at Robinson or Abbot, and a new school near Stony Brook Middle School.
This is a study of alternatives. A preferred option, final site, school closures and future school assignments have not been approved. The district anticipates a town-wide vote in Fall 2027 and, if approved, completion in 2031.
Source: Westford Public Schools · Robinson School Building Project
What has been decided
Westford is actively studying seven alternatives through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) feasibility process. The project team has narrowed the original 18 designs, selected its project manager and designer, and evaluated potential locations.
Moving alternatives forward for study does not approve one for construction. The committee’s municipal charge is to evaluate repair, renovation, expansion or replacement and proceed only as deemed appropriate by the Town and MSBA.
Sources: District project overview · Town committee charge
What has not been decided
- No preferred building option has been selected.
- No final project site has been selected.
- No school closure has been approved.
- Future elementary school assignments have not been established.
- Voters have not approved a construction project.
- Final project cost and individual property-tax impact are not established.
Preliminary estimates describe alternatives; they are not an approved construction budget or a final tax bill. A preferred-option recommendation would also be a separate step from voter approval.
Source: Westford Public Schools · Robinson School Building Project
Why the Robinson School project is being studied
The district identifies Robinson’s open-suite layout and aging building systems as facility and educational challenges. The study also considers enrollment, grade configuration and the needs of Abbot and Day.
In plain English, feasibility means comparing workable solutions before committing to a building. Architects and engineers assess existing conditions, space needs, renovation possibilities and costs. The MSBA process calls for a Preliminary Design Program and Preferred Schematic Report; MSBA Board approval is needed to advance into schematic design.
Sources: District explanation of project need · MSBA feasibility process
The seven options currently under study
These are alternatives, not selected projects. The first two retain Robinson and the K–2 / 3–5 structure. The other five consolidate schools and move elementary schools to K–5. Enrollment labels follow the district’s slides; preschool is included in the planning configuration.
| Official option | Building approach | Possible site | Enrollment configuration | Potential school outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson 2 | Addition / renovation | Robinson | 470 · K–2 + preschool | Retains Robinson; keeps K–2 / 3–5 structure. |
| Robinson 3 | New construction | Robinson | 470 · K–2 + preschool | Retains Robinson; keeps K–2 / 3–5 structure. |
| Abbot 2 | Addition / renovation | Abbot | 705 · K–5 + preschool | Robinson closes; Day remains and becomes K–5. |
| Abbot 3 | New construction | Abbot | 705 · K–5 + preschool | Robinson closes; Day remains and becomes K–5. |
| Abbot 4 | Addition / renovation | Abbot | 1,065 · K–5 + preschool | Robinson and Day close. |
| Abbot 5 | New construction | Abbot | 1,065 · K–5 + preschool | Robinson and Day close. |
| Farmer Way 2 | New construction | Fields at 2 Farmer Way, near Stony Brook | 705 · K–5 + preschool | Robinson and Abbot close; Day remains. |
The Abbot 705 options retain Day, with capital needs remaining. The Farmer Way option also retains Day. Retaining a school does not mean its grade configuration or assignments would stay unchanged.
Source: Westford Public Schools · September 9, 2026 forum slides
Possible sites
The team evaluated more than 15 public and private locations before narrowing the site analysis to four:
- Robinson
- Abbot
- Day
- The fields at 2 Farmer Way
Day was part of the narrowed site analysis, but the seven remaining alternatives shown above place project work at Robinson, Abbot or Farmer Way. A site being evaluated does not make it the final location.
Source: Westford Public Schools · Robinson School Building Project
Could Robinson close?
Yes. Closure is included in five alternatives currently under study, but no closure has been approved. Two alternatives would renovate or replace Robinson on its current site. The five consolidation options would close it if that path is ultimately selected, approved and implemented.
Source: Westford Public Schools · Robinson School Building Project
Could Day or Abbot close?
Day: The two 1,065-student Abbot alternatives include closing Day as well as Robinson. The 705-student Abbot alternatives retain Day and convert it to K–5.
Abbot: The new 705-student Farmer Way school near Stony Brook includes closing Abbot and Robinson. The Abbot-site alternatives instead renovate or replace Abbot.
These outcomes belong to particular study scenarios. They are not predictions or approved closures.
Source: Westford Public Schools · September 9, 2026 forum slides
Could school assignments change?
Yes, different grade configurations and school locations could eventually affect assignments. Future elementary school assignments have not been established.
Do not use a study diagram to decide which future school a particular street, neighborhood or property will attend. Buyers and sellers should verify current address-specific enrollment information with Westford Public Schools and keep any possible future changes separate.
Source: Westford Public Schools · Robinson School Building Project
Project timeline
These are the district’s current anticipated milestones as of October 6, 2026. Dates may change; future approvals have not occurred.
- Fall 2026
- Study alternatives and gather community input.
- October 14, 2026 · 6:30 PM
- Scheduled community forum: HVAC recommendation and revised alternatives.
- November 17, 2026 · 6:30 PM
- Scheduled community forum: final alternatives.
- December 2026
- Preferred option currently expected; Preferred Schematic Report submission is targeted for December 15.
- 2027
- Further design and refined cost work; MSBA reviews and approvals remain part of the process.
- Fall 2027
- Town-wide vote currently anticipated.
- 2031
- Current anticipated completion, only if voters ultimately approve the project and the project proceeds.
The October 14 and November 17 forums are currently listed as hybrid meetings at Stony Brook Middle School Auditorium and on Zoom. Check the district page for registration and schedule changes.
Source: Westford Public Schools · Robinson School Building Project
What homeowners should know
When a town project comes up in a real estate conversation, my first question is: what has actually been decided? Here, there is meaningful planning underway, but a study option is not an approved school closure, tax increase or attendance assignment.
- Keep dated official information with your property research.
- Verify current school assignments directly with the district for the address.
- Review future cost and funding materials when they are refined; do not treat preliminary figures as your final tax impact.
- Avoid promising a property-value increase or decrease based on an unselected alternative.
You do not need to predict the outcome to make an informed decision. You need to understand the current facts, the remaining approvals and the next milestone to watch.
Official sources
- Westford Public Schools: Robinson School Building Project — current status, sites, forums and anticipated milestones.
- September 9, 2026 community forum slides — seven alternatives and scenario-specific school outcomes.
- Town of Westford: Robinson School Building Committee — committee charge, agendas and approved minutes.
- MSBA: Module 3, Feasibility Study — study requirements and the transition to schematic design.
Reviewed October 6, 2026. This independent homeowner guide summarizes official planning information; it is not a district announcement. Consult the linked official records for subsequent decisions.