Cambridge to Relocate Amigos School by Fall 2028
The district plans to move the Spanish immersion school to the vacant Kennedy-Longfellow building to expand capacity.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Language Learning
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Superintendent David G. Murphy has proposed relocating the Amigos School from its current site to the former Kennedy-Longfellow building in fall 2028. The move is designed to address overcrowding and accommodate a planned expansion of the district’s only Spanish dual-language immersion program.
Why it matters
The current Upton Street facility lacks a dedicated science lab and is operating above its student capacity. Expanding into the Spring Street building aims to make the school more representative of the broader Cambridge Public Schools student population.
The proposed relocation requires between $14 million and $18 million in capital improvements, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades. Enrollment is projected to expand gradually over a three to five-year period following the move.
The players
David G. Murphy
He is the Superintendent of Cambridge Public Schools who authored the relocation recommendation.
Cambridge School Committee
This body acts as the governing board for the district and is tasked with voting on facility proposals.
The details
The district intends to utilize the vacant Kennedy-Longfellow site at 158 Spring St. to house the program, which is currently located at 15 Upton St. The project requires extensive renovations to modernize the facility while supporting long-term growth for the dual-language immersion curriculum.
Timeline
June 2025: The Kennedy-Longfellow building closed.
October 15, 2026: Superintendent David G. Murphy presented the recommendation to the School Committee.
October 20, 2026: The Cambridge School Committee will vote on the proposal.
2027-28 school year: The Amigos School will continue operations at the Upton Street site.
Fall 2028: The school is scheduled to relocate to the Kennedy-Longfellow building.
Culture Shift
The proposal follows the enrollment trends and capacity constraints established by the district's recent facility assessment. This shift reflects a growing focus on providing equitable access to language immersion programs across the city's diverse student population.
Families currently enrolled in the Amigos School can expect the program to remain at its current location through the 2027-28 school year. Long-term, the move aims to increase total enrollment slots for students seeking Spanish dual-language immersion.
The takeaway
The proposed move addresses immediate capacity concerns while preparing the school for long-term growth. Residents should monitor the upcoming committee vote for updates on how the $18 million renovation project may affect district-wide facility planning.
What happens next
The Cambridge School Committee is scheduled to meet on October 20, 2026, to weigh the relocation proposal and hold a vote.
Further reading
For more on local curriculum expansion and school programs, see Cambridge Language Learning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Harvard Crimson.
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