Today, the School District of Philadelphia celebrated the newly constructed AMY at James Martin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This $62 million investment, made possible by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, provides students with a state-of-the-art facility.
“The new AMY at James Martin school is more than just a building; it is a testament of our commitment to creating equitable, high-quality learning environments in Philadelphia for students,” said Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Ed.D., superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. “As we continue on our path to becoming the fastest improving, large urban school district in the country, we want our facilities to support our students and maximize learning. AMY at James Martin provides natural light through large windows, collaborative spaces, and classroom furniture to fit a range of student needs. I look forward to visiting this space when it is filled with students and I cannot wait to see the great things our students will accomplish here.”
The new 87,000-square-foot school replaced the original James Martin building built in 1894 and has the capacity to accommodate 500 students in sixth through eighth grade. The building was designed for a LEED Gold Certification from the U.S Green Building Council, an esteemed green building rating. There were guided tours of the building for District staff and the community, as well as brief remarks followed by a ribbon cutting.
“The opening of the new AMY at James Martin is a major milestone for the School District of Philadelphia and represents a $62 million investment in the future of our students,” said Reginald Streater, Esq., president for the Philadelphia Board of Education. “This state-of-the-art facility directly aligns with our Board’s Goals and Guardrails as we are committed to creating safe, welcoming, and healthy spaces where students, staff and community want to be and learn each day.”
In January, students and staff will be welcomed back from winter break to their new school building located in the heart of Port Richmond, which will provide flexible, inquiry-based learning environments that are bright, inspiring, and deeply connected to the community. The facility includes state-of-the-art classrooms, science and art labs, music rooms, collaborative zones, an instructional media commons, expansive views of the center city skyline, a gymnatorium, cafeteria featuring a full-service kitchen, a glass encased library with a connected outdoor courtyard on the third floor, and additional ground floor outdoor spaces designed for both student and community use.
The project’s design was led by KSS Architects in collaboration with Moody Nolan, whose work emphasized creating a vibrant, inclusive, and student-centered environment. The architecture and interiors prioritize natural light, transparency, and adaptability, ensuring that each space supports multiple modes of learning and fosters a sense of belonging. Warm materials, color accents, and visual connections between floors and learning zones help make the building both welcoming and intuitive for students and educators alike.
“AMY at James Martin represents what is possible when partnership, purpose, and community come together. Mosaic Development Partners JV is proud to have collaborated with the School District of Philadelphia, KSS Architects, Moody Nolan, Daniel J. Keating Company, and our Port Richmond neighbors to deliver a school that reflects the needs and aspirations of its students. This project is more than a building. It is an investment in opportunity and in the futures of the young people who will learn, grow, and lead here for generations,” said Maria Sourbeer, executive vice president at Mosaic Development Partners JV.
Improving physical learning spaces is part of the District’s new five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly, and part of the District’s efforts to become the fastest-improving large, urban school district in the country. This is also the sixth newly constructed school since 2021, joining Powel/SLAMS, Northeast Propel Academy, Solomon Solis-Cohen, Lewis C. Cassidy, and Thomas M. Pierce.