Southbridge High School Opens Massachusetts’ First Sensory Immersion Room

By-Hank Stolz

Photo-Southbridge High School

WORCESTER, MA– Friday, October 17th saw the ribbon cutting for a groundbreaking project at Southbridge High School — the state’s first Sensory Immersion Room.

Funded by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts in partnership with Clark University’s Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise, the new facility uses immersive technology, virtual reality, and sensory equipment to create calming, therapeutic environments for students. The initiative aims to meet the growing mental health needs of young people while modeling a new standard for school-based care.

Foundation President and CEO Amie Shei joined Hank Stolz on Talk of the Commonwealth to explain the vision behind the project. “We see this as a model for school-based mental health in other districts across the state,” Shei said. “It is especially meaningful that we’re able to make this investment in Southbridge, which is a community that frankly is often overlooked.”

The Sensory Immersion Room allows students to decompress, receive therapy, and manage stress in an adaptable environment tailored to their individual needs — whether they are experiencing sensory differences, behavioral health challenges, or simply need a space to reset.

“This is a great opportunity to model for our youth what it means to be in tune with their own mental health needs,” Shei continued, “and how to better support themselves and each other in adapting to the very complex environment that we now live in.”

The project’s leaders hope the Southbridge program becomes a replicable model for other school districts across Massachusetts, combining research-backed technology with a compassionate, student-centered approach to well-being.