Read the Worcester Telegram & Gazette editorial, "Valuable land makes the grade," which recognizes Worcester Academy as a "good neighbor" (Saturday, January 9, 2010).


Worcester Academy Board of Trustees President James Pietro announced today that Worcester Academy had completed a deal with Liberty Properties of Boston to purchase 4 acres of land at the former St. Vincent Hospital property on Providence Street.

The deal encompasses land bounded by Marion Avenue and Shannon Street at the rear of the old hospital complex and includes one building being used as a maintenance and warehouse facility.

According to Mr. Pietro, the property is contiguous to former hospital land that Worcester Academy purchased from Liberty in 2007.  The parcels combine to create 10 acres of property that can be used for future development by Worcester Academy.

Mr. Pietro said the purchase strengthens Worcester Academy's position as an anchor of Union Hill, one of the city's historic neighborhoods. Recently, Worcester Academy also made a $300,000 commitment to provide low interest loans to property owners in the neighborhood through Worcester Community Housing Resources.

"Worcester Academy takes great pride in being a part of the city of Worcester and a responsible neighbor, especially in these difficult economic times," he said. "Last year was our 175th Anniversary as a school and our 140th year atop Union Hill. This purchase, along with our recently initiated loan program, provides us with the opportunity to enhance the educational experience of our students and help stabilize and strengthen our community."

He noted that the purchase would provide Worcester Academy with new options as school leaders assess current and future space needs. In the near term, the only existing building on the site will be used for its intended purposes, maintenance and storage, he said.

Together, the acquired St. Vincent’s Hospital parcels represent a 75 percent increase in campus size over Worcester Academy's historic main campus and increase the total acreage owned by the school to 71 acres, including athletic fields. Worcester Academy, with a student population of 655, has more than doubled in enrollment over the past ten years and opened the 2009 school year with a record number of students.

Dexter Morse, head of school, noted: "Our goal is to be the best urban school in the country and this acquisition is another step toward that goal."

The parcels are appealing to Worcester Academy in that they are situated between the school's main 81 Providence Street campus (about two blocks from the former St. Vincent Hospital property) and Worcester Academy's Gaskill Field athletic complex.

Additionally, no existing affordable residential housing has been displaced as a result of either purchase.

Worcester Academy, founded in 1834, is a co-ed day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 and postgraduates. Our urban setting, diverse community, and challenging curriculum provide students with a solid, real-world education.  Information at www.worcesteracademy.org.

For information, contact Neil Isakson, director of communications, at 508-754-5302 x135, or e-mail neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org