The abandoned East Wareham School has not welcomed students in over 10 years— but that is about to change. The South Shore Early Education Head Start program plans on making the old East Wareham School their new permanent residence.  

On Oct. 27, The South Shore Community Action Council was the highest bidder in the auction for the East Wareham School property. Anticipating the closing date on the sale, the property was sold to the council for $500,000.

According to South Shore Community Action Council CEO Lisa Spencer, the organization was awarded a multi-year $1.18 million federal grant in 2020 to provide Head Start programming for 71 preschoolers from Wareham to Bourne. 

The South Shore Community Action Council provides opportunities and resources for low income families. One of which is the Head Start program, which offers childcare and preschool for local children ages 3-5. According to Spencer, The South Shore Community Action Council assists 25,000 low-income people each year.

“We are grateful to all of the residents, community leaders, and organizations that have supported the Early Education program in Wareham,” Spencer said. 

The South Shore Early Education program is currently located at 314 Onset Avenue in East Wareham. They share the building with The Oak Grove Cape Verdean Cultural Center, who plans on utilizing the full facility for their needs. 

The South Shore Early Education program has yet to announce when they plan on moving their program to the East School property— assessments for renovation still need to take place.

“We are not prepared to discuss renovations at this time,” said Spencer.