Lynn Public Schools proposes redistricting for new Pickering Middle School opening 2027

The Lynn School Committee meeting on March 27, 2025, highlighted the proposed redistricting plan for the new Pickering Middle School, set to open in early 2027. This initiative aims to balance student enrollment across the city's middle schools, ensuring that students are assigned to schools closer to their homes.

The new Pickering Middle School will feature 185,000 square feet of modern facilities, including a gymnasium, health services, and outdoor learning environments. The redistricting plan is designed to accommodate the increased capacity of the new school while maintaining a balanced enrollment across the existing middle schools: Breed, Marshall, and Pickering.

Key priorities in the redistricting process include distance and convenience for students, access to updated facilities, and alignment with elementary school boundaries. The proposed changes will affect several elementary feeder schools, redistributing students to ensure that 82% of the middle school cohort will attend their nearest school. The projected enrollment numbers indicate a more balanced distribution, with Breed expected to serve 1,208 students, Pickering 1,409, and Marshall 1,083.

Community engagement is a critical component of this process. A public comment period will run from April 1 to April 30, allowing families to provide feedback on the proposed changes. A public forum is scheduled for April 30 at the Pickering Middle School Gymnasium, where community members can voice their opinions and ask questions. The School Committee plans to review the feedback and make any necessary adjustments before finalizing the redistricting plan on June 12, 2025.

This redistricting effort not only aims to enhance educational opportunities for students but also reflects the commitment of Lynn Public Schools to create a more equitable and accessible school environment for all families in the community.