Greenwich Unveils New $112 Million Central Middle School

GREENWICH, CT — Under warm sunshine and bright blue skies, the Town of Greenwich unveiled the new $112 million Central Middle School on Monday, just in time for the new school year, which is slated to begin on Friday, Aug. 28.

Community members and elected and school officials gathered outside the entrance to the new CMS on Monday morning for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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Construction on the 125,000-square-foot, two-story building began in December 2024 just north of the old building. The campus has a new extended driveway, a separate bus loop and new parking areas.

The first floor of the building features a secure entryway vestibule and main office, an auditorium, elective spaces, a gymnasium, a cafeteria for grade-level lunches, and a media center, which serves as the central hub for learning in the building.

The second floor houses core academic classrooms/pods for each grade, and learning spaces for students. There are also two outdoor courtyards for students and faculty to use.
"Standing here today is quite extraordinary," said CMS Principal Tom Healy during Monday's ceremony.

Healy thanked the many volunteers who worked on the project, from the CMS Building Committee and various town agencies to the contractors and subcontractors who worked in the cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer to bring the new building to fruition.

He also acknowledged Greenwich's delegation to Hartford, which helped secure a $22 million reimbursement on the project.

Healy noted that faculty, staff and students played a role in the design of the new building, and he thanked them for enduring challenges at the old building while construction was ongoing.

One of the few things Healy said he's bringing over from his old office is a sign that outlines Greenwich Public Schools' Vision of the Graduate, which outlines individual capacities each student is expected to develop by the time they graduate from Greenwich High School.

Some of the capacities include mastering a core body of knowledge, posing and pursuing substantive questions, critically interpreting, evaluating and synthesizing information, being responsible for their own mental and physical health, recognizing and respecting other cultural contexts and points of view, communicating effectively for a given purpose, collaborating with others and contributing to community through dialogue, service and/or leadership.

"If you look at these capacities, and you look at what we are here to do and what skills and capacities we are looking to embody in our children, this project could not be more representative of all of these capacities we need to embody every day," Healy said.

There were talks about potentially constructing a new CMS before 2022, but the need turned dire that year when the building was condemned for a brief period after an inspection found structural issues. Students were sent to other schools as the school district worked to fortify the building, which was originally built in 1958.

Then, more uncertainty about the old building came about after officials believed they discovered new cracks in the structure after an earthquake struck in New Jersey and rattled parts of Connecticut in April 2024.

Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools Dr. Toni Jones reflected on the last few years leading up to Monday's momentous occasion.

"It really all started when that building over there was condemned. I will never forget that call," Jones said. "Sometimes, through adversity, that's how we really end up with something wonderful in our lives, and that's just how it works. Going through that was worth every single minute to end up with this new school."

First Selectman Fred Camillo spoke during Monday's ceremony and also reflected on the previous years, noting the debates and discussions that took place as officials worked on the project.

"The questions that were asked, some were really good, and you want to really vet hard. Obviously, some of the questions we thought were not productive, but we certainly want to thank everyone who was on the committee and on the Board of Estimate and Taxation," Camillo said. "Those questions made us double down and work really hard. It takes a team effort and all of the advocates here."

Board of Education member Bob Chaney, who served on the CMS Building Committee, spoke briefly on Monday, too, and thanked his colleagues for their work.

"It's just amazing when we see what happens when this entire town comes together, no matter what their thoughts, what their beliefs, and get something done like this. I just look forward to seeing what else we can do in the Town of Greenwich," Chaney said.

According to CMS Building Committee Chair Joe Rossetti, there are still four or five months of construction left. A new permanent fire pumphouse in the back of the school must be completed, along with the new athletic fields and other hardscaping/landscaping projects. Demolition of the old building will also be continuing.

"Based upon our current expectation and understanding, we are hopeful we will deliver the project within the original $112 million appropriation," Rossetti said.

Rossetti thanked the community and the CMS neighbors for enduring the main construction.

"Thank you for cheering us every step of the way. Thank you for bearing with us during construction while we intruded on your property, intruded right smack dab in your face," he said.

Monday was not just about opening a new building, Rossetti said, but it was about recognizing the team effort it took to get there.

"Thank you for being part of this team, and for everything you've done to help make this a grand and meaningful opening," Rossetti said.

"Let's move forward into the new CMS, enjoying exploration, discovery, beautiful learning, teaching, creativity, and competition. Congratulations to you all. Let's get studying. Go Cougars!"