BROOKLINE, Mass. — A familiar school is getting a fresh start in Brookline, and for the students who call it home, the changes mean more than a new coat of paint.
Bay Cove Academy, a therapeutic day school operated by Justice Resource Institute (JRI), is returning to its Brookline home at 156 Lawton St. after a major renovation project transformed 12,000 square feet of space on the building's first floor.
The Hamilton Company announced the completion of the renovations, with the school scheduled to reopen on October 13. The project received its certificate of occupancy in September, clearing the way for students and staff to return to the updated space.
The renovations mark an important milestone for a school that provides specialized educational support to adolescents whose academic and social needs may be difficult to meet in traditional public or private school settings.
"We are excited to complete the renovations for JRI," said Jameson Brown, chairman and CEO of The Hamilton Company. "We are thrilled that the improvements made to their space will help them maintain an important presence in the Brookline community."
For Bay Cove Academy, the return to Brookline is about more than getting back into a familiar building. It means having a renewed environment where students can work toward their goals with the support and structure they need.
The school provides a highly structured learning environment for adolescents who benefit from specialized educational and social support. Its work also helps students pursue personal growth and develop skills they can carry into the next stages of their lives.
Lindsay Savageau, JRI's vice president of educational services, said the renovated space represents an exciting new chapter for the school community.
"We are grateful to The Hamilton Company and everyone who helped create a renewed space where our students can feel safe, supported, and ready to learn," Savageau said. "Returning to Bay Cove Academy's Brookline home is an exciting milestone for our entire school community, and this thoughtfully renovated environment will help our students build on their strengths and pursue their educational, social, and vocational goals."
The road back to 156 Lawton St. began in December 2025, when JRI temporarily relocated its operations to allow The Hamilton Company to complete the improvements.
Now, with the renovation work finished and the building approved for occupancy, the school can resume operations at its Brookline location.
For students, families and staff, returning to a familiar setting offers a chance to settle back into routines while making use of an updated learning environment.
The project also highlights the role that property owners and community service organizations can play in helping essential local programs continue their work.
"We were honored to complete these important renovations for the JRI," said Carol Rash, The Hamilton Company's director of commercial property and asset management. "These improvements will provide stability and peace of mind as they continue to provide vital services to the marginalized residents of Brookline and beyond."
Founded in 1973, Justice Resource Institute has grown into a network of more than 100 human services programs employing approximately 2,500 people. Its work focuses on providing trauma-informed care for children, families and individuals.
Bay Cove Academy is part of that broader mission, offering an educational setting designed around the needs of students who require additional support to thrive academically, socially and personally.
The Hamilton Company, meanwhile, has been part of Greater Boston's real estate landscape since 1954, when it began with the acquisition of a six-unit building. Today, the privately held company manages and leases approximately 1.5 million square feet of commercial space and more than 6,000 residential units. Its operations also include real estate development, construction and property management, supported by a workforce of 170 full-time employees.
With the completion of the Lawton Street renovations, the two organizations have helped prepare Bay Cove Academy for its next chapter in Brookline.
And while the improvements may be measured in square feet, their significance reaches well beyond the building itself: creating a renewed place where students can learn, build confidence and work toward a brighter future.
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