The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) opened a new school in Long Island City and made additions to P.S. 2 in Elmhurst for the 2021-2022 school year.
The SCA opened 11 new schools and pre-K centers throughout the city that added 3,773 seats in overcrowded districts. These new constructions will allow the Department of Education (DOE) to better enforce social distancing.
P.S. 384 Hunters Point School opened Monday, Sept. 13, with 612 new seats available. The Hunters Point School is four stories, fully air-conditioned, servicing students in pre-K through fifth grade.
Construction began in February of 2018 after a $67.5 million contract was awarded to Leon D. Dematteis Construction Corp.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer visited P.S. 384, and shared his excitement about the new school.
“Today I toured the new $70 million school and met with Principal Christine Britton,” Van Bramer wrote on Twitter. “Excited for the children who will enjoy this newest school in our district.”
On Sept 13, the new PS384 in #LIC opens. Today I toured the new $70M school & met with Principal Christine Britton. Excited for the children who will enjoy this newest school in our district. With 15 new schools opened, under construction or funded, I’ll push for more schools! pic.twitter.com/EWUKWTV18t
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) September 3, 2021
The school includes two reading rooms, one speech resource room, an art classroom, a science resource room and a music suite. There is also a full kitchen, student cafeteria and additional rooms for staff and parents. The school has an exercise room, an early childhood playground and a playground for upper-grade students.
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan praised the new school for its “state-of-the-art” facilities.
“This school year will be special for many reasons and I am thrilled that the students at Hunters Point Elementary School will be learning and growing for years to come in a beautiful and safe building,” Nolan said.
P.S. 2 in Elmhurst received $29.4 million for its additions, with construction beginning in March of 2019. The funding went to art, music and exercise rooms.
Sarah Casasnovas, a spokesperson for the DOE, said that they are grateful for these additions to school districts across the city.
“These state-of-the-art school facilities will bring hundreds of critically needed seats to Queens and serve generations of students to come,” Casasnovas said. “We’re grateful for our partners, families, community members and elected officials for helping us bring these amazing spaces to life.”
In 2014, the mayor’s office committed to reducing overcrowded classrooms. Since then, the SCA has added 55,313 new seats to the city.
