Foster Elementary is a new 126,385 sq. ft. school designed for Hingham’s Pre-K-5 program for up to 605 students. The existing building had a litany of issues, including outdated mechanical systems and educational spaces unable to accommodate the needs of students in the 21st century. The new school will have space for the expanded Integrated PreK, Kids in Action, and the Special Education programs. The design will also address a District-wide need for administrative space, athletic fields, a gymnasium with room for spectators, and event and performance space. Each grade level will be grouped as a “neighborhood” with common space for collaborative grade-level educational and project-based activities, and provide much needed space for SPED and KIA administrative offices. This highly energy efficient school is all electric, net zero ready, has ground source heat pumps. The project also includes a separate entrance and five classrooms to expand Hingham’s Preschool Program. The $113 million project is expected to open in 2024.