By Anna Gustafson
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Metropolitan Avenue Campus in Forest Hills last week marked a moment that for some seemed like it would never come.
The $158 million facility, which includes the Queens Metropolitan High School, the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School and PS 233, a special education school, was first proposed nearly 20 years ago, after which area lawmakers spent thousands of hours battling the city to ensure the high school remained locally zoned.
“This is a long time coming,” City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) said. “We’re so happy the school finally opened.”
Last Thursday’s event was a particularly welcomed one because it ended a week full of turmoil due to the tornado on a positive note, Koslowitz said.
“This has been a week with ups and downs, and I feel I’m on a roller coaster between the horrible weather and the damage it did and the elation from the school opening,” she said.
Koslowitz was joined by a number of elected officials at the event last Thursday, including city Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Borough President Helen Marshall, both of whom praised the campus.
“The opening of the Metropolitan Avenue Campus was possible because of the advocacy efforts and work of so many people — local elected officials, community members, parents, the School Construction Authority and DOE staff,” Klein said. “The result is one we can all be proud of — a state-of-the-art building that will house three schools and serve the community for years to come.”
Marshall also noted how long it took for the campus to come to fruition, but said the wait was worth it.
“This campus setting is quite impressive,” Marshall said. “It provides students with plenty of space not only to learn, but to also engage in recreational activities that will help them to maintain their health through exercise and healthy regimens. This complex was a long time coming, but the reality of seeing it here is a thrill.”
The high school has 1,000 seats, the expeditionary school has 700 seats and there are 200 slots at PS 233 for special education students.
Students from School Districts 24 and 28 are given priority at the high school and expeditionary school. District 24 covers Glendale, Ridgewood, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Middle Village and Corona. District 28 includes Forest Hills, Rego Park, Jamaica and Kew Gardens.
The city Department of Education said in early February that it was increasing the number of seats for incoming freshmen at the high school from 250 to 350, but the additional 100 seats were going to be open to anyone in Queens — a decision met with ire from local community members.
Following meetings attended by city education officials and state Assemblymen Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) and Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven), Koslowitz and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), the city agreed to prioritize students from Districts 24 and 28.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
