The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) has added funding for a 700-seat annex at Forest Hills High School to its Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Capital Plan, aiming to address longstanding overcrowding issues at the high-demand school.
Located at 67-01 110th St., Forest Hills High School is renowned for its academic excellence and diverse range of programs. The school currently serves over 3,000 students from across Queens, and due to severe overcrowding, multiple overlapping sessions are often required.
The annex will feature 26 classrooms and four modern science labs, providing state-of-the-art facilities to enhance student learning. To accommodate the project, the SCA will also rebuild several athletic amenities impacted by construction, including tennis courts and portions of the track and field spaces. The project is made possible through extensive collaboration with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), which transferred a small parcel of land to facilitate the expansion.
“Building an annex at Forest Hills High School is essential to address the pressing issue of overcrowding, which impacts both the quality of education and student well-being. This investment not only helps with current demands but also supports the long-term growth and success of the entire school community,” said SCA President and CEO Nina Kubota, emphasizing the importance of this expansion.
Education leaders also highlighted the significance of the annex. Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said, “When we invest in our physical spaces, we are demonstrating our commitment to our students, staff, and families’ success.”
The project received widespread support from elected officials and community leaders. “Alleviating overcrowding will help Forest Hills High School better serve local students and enhance its environment for learning,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng.
“Our kids get only one shot at a good education. The addition of over 700 new seats at Forest Hills High School will not only alleviate overcrowding but also enhance the quality of education by reducing class sizes and providing students and educators with the resources they need to thrive,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman, who represents the district. She called the project a “critical step forward” for the neighborhood and thanked the SCA for prioritizing the initiative to ensure students have the space to learn and grow.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. called the annex “richly deserved,” while State Senator Leroy Comrie lauded Principal Paul Wilbur for managing overcapacity challenges while maintaining academic excellence.
“The popularity of Forest Hills High School’s excellent programs has caused it to be at overcapacity,” said Forest Hills High School Principal Wilbur. “The annex will allow FHHS to continue to be a beacon of learning through expanded, upgraded and modern facilities that will stimulate, engage and propel our students to excellence.”
