Sarah Roberts Elementary School (former Philbrick-Sumner Merger And Irving Renovation)

The Sarah Roberts Elementary School officially welcomed students and staff on September 4, 2025 for SY2025-2026.

Page Sections

Project Phase

Pending

Planning

Design

Construction

Complete

Project Information

Location

105 Cummins Highway Roslindale 02131

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Project Features

Accessibility

Facility Upgrades

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Year Completed

2026

Primary Project Type

Schools

At the beginning of SY2025-2026, the district launched two strands of a Spanish Dual-Language program at the Sarah Roberts for students in K1. The school will roll out two strands in an additional grade level each subsequent year until it spans from K1 to Grade 6 by SY2032-2033.

The school’s Ribbon Cutting was hosted by Mayor Wu, Superintendent Skipper and School Committee Chair, Jeri Robinson, in the school auditorium on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. They were joined by Sarah Roberts’ descendants, the Public Facilities Department (PFD), J&J Contractors, Mount Vernon Group Architects, school co-leaders Meghan Welch and Danladi Bobbitt, students, and community members. Please click this link or see the Latest Updates section for more information.

Although the project has reached substantial completion and we welcomed students and staff into the building, PFD and J&J remain active in the building finalizing project work. The goal is to reach final completion in the Spring of 2026.

Latest updates

October 8, 2025

Recording

Sarah Roberts Ribbon Cutting Video

October 8, 2025

Photos

Sarah Roberts Ribbon Cutting Photos

October 8, 2025

Article

Mayor Michelle Wu, Superintendent Mary Skipper Cut Ribbon On Sarah Roberts Elementary School

June 9, 2025

RECORDING

Sarah Roberts Dual Language Workshop for Families

May 30, 2025

recording

Sarah Roberts Construction Update & Pedestrian Safety

May 30, 2025

presentation

Sarah Roberts Construction Update & Pedestrian Safety

March 20, 2025

RECORDING

Sarah Roberts Naming Vote (Begins 3:14:38)

March 20, 2025

presentation

Sarah Roberts Naming Presentation

March 20, 2025

document

Sarah Roberts Naming Memo

March 20, 2025

DOCUMENT

Sarah Roberts Equity Impact Statement

Additional Resources

Resources

Merger Process & Previous Project Updates

After running an inclusive process to choose a school name for the Philbrick-Sumner merger, the final three suggested names were presented to the Joint School Leader and School Site Council at a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM on Zoom. The School Site Councils voted on Sarah Roberts Elementary School, which was brought to the Boston School Committee on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 and was approved unanimously on Thursday March 20, 2025. All of the presentations are included below.

The proposal to combine the Philbrick and Sumner schools to become a preK-6 school located in the renovated Irving building, beginning in fall 2025, was approved by the Boston School Committee on May 24, 2023. Combining the schools will consolidate resources to invest in expanded academic and enrichment opportunities and inclusion. The FY24 Capital Plan proposal included $90.8 million to renovate the Irving building. The Irving renovation construction began in the fall of 2023.