Lowell – Lowell Community Charter Public School (LCCPS) gathered community leaders and key stakeholders this past Wednesday morning for the highly anticipated Build to Learn Campaign event, unveiling a transformative initiative that will bring significant educational and community investments to Downtown Lowell.
Hosted by LCCPS Chief Operating Officer Robert Gignac, a proud LCCPS parent, the event featured remarks from Vice Mayor Paul Ratha Yem, Board Chair Griselda Gomez, Aaron’s Presents Executive Director, and LCCPS Parent Leah Okimoto, and other key figures, as they outlined the school’s vision to shape the future of education and the surrounding community.
Attendees were greeted by the vibrant sounds of the LCCPS Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble, setting an energetic tone for the day.
“Today, we take a major step forward with the ‘Build to Learn’ campaign,” said Gignac in his opening remarks. “This is more than just an investment in our school—it’s an investment in the future of the entire Lowell community. With this nearly $20 million initiative, we’re not only expanding our facilities but also contributing to the growth and vitality of Downtown Lowell.”
Left to right: LCCPS students Stefany Colombo and Macho Manjong, Learn to Lead Foundation President Sima Suon, LCCPS Executive Director Nicholas Leonardos, James Peyser, former Massachusetts Secretary of Education
The event also included a panel discussion moderated by former Massachusetts Secretary of Education James Peyser. Peyser, a key figure in the education arena, spoke passionately about the importance of LCCPS to its community.
The panel featured LCCPS Executive Director Nicholas Leonardos, LCCPS alumna and President of the Learn to Lead Foundation of Lowell Sima Suon, and two outstanding 8th-grade students, Macho Manjong and Stefany Colombo. Manjong and Colomno shared insights into the current student experience and the anticipated impact of the new facilities.
Manjong and Colombo both also addressed the need for the new facility to allow students to “reach their full potential”, as individual students and as a community of learners. Cultural assemblies are a focal point of LCCPS culture, Colombo pointed “right now our assemblies are divided by K to fourth grade and fifth to eighth grade. Why would you want that if you could have the full community all together?”
The project’s Principal Architect, Pip Lewis of HMFH, walked the audience through the impressive renderings and plans for the future facilities.
The total investment for the Build to Learn campaign is expected to total approximately $20 million, with a fundraising goal of $5 million to support both bricks-and-mortar projects and programmatic costs. In the initial phase of the campaign, LCCPS secured $1.5 million towards this goal, demonstrating strong early support from the community and stakeholders.
The Build to Learn campaign includes three key projects:
1. Athletic & Community Center: A state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance physical wellness and provide a hub for community engagement.
2. Student Success Fund: Supporting free after-school programs that empower students to thrive academically, athletically, and artistically.
3. Performing Arts Center: A dedicated space where students can explore their creativity, hone their talents, and experience the transformative power of the arts.
The campaign will revitalize underdeveloped areas downtown, including a long-vacant brownfield and a former “coal pocket,” further contributing to the neighborhood’s growth.
“By turning these dormant spaces into dynamic hubs of learning and engagement, we’re enhancing not just our facilities but the broader Lowell community,” Gignac added.
Executive Director Nicholas Leonardos emphasized the long-term vision of the campaign: “This initiative is about creating opportunities—not just for today’s students but for generations to come. The Build to Learn campaign reflects our commitment to providing students with the resources and environment they need and deserve.”
LCCPS Afro-Latin Percussion Ensemble
With over 800 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, LCCPS has long been a cornerstone of educational excellence and community engagement in Lowell. As Gignac closed the event, he invited the community to continue supporting the school’s mission. “Together, we will build spaces that inspire and empower the next generation. We are grateful to have you with us on this journey.”
For more information about the Build to Learn campaign and how to get involved, visit www.lccps.org/BuildtoLearn or reach out to Development@lccps.org.
