New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) President and CEO Nina Kubota joined NYC Public Schools Chancellor David Banks and other school and elected officials at the new, 795-seat annex at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School today to mark the start of the new school year and celebrate the successful completion of ten new schools / additions that will add 4,422 much-needed seats throughout the City for the 2023-2024 school year.
Despite CoViD-related challenges, each location opened on schedule as part of the City’s commitment to add 45,000 seats citywide over the span of the SCA’s 2020-2024 Capital Plan. The current $19.4 billion plan is investing in New York City’s future, continuing to create and improve the school buildings and facilities that the City’s children need and deserve.
“Today marks the start of a new school year and the culmination of years of dedicated work by the SCA to bring these school buildings online, adding new seats and providing our students with amenities ranging from mock court rooms and media centers to the latest state-of-the art science labs and technology that bring a culture of learning and future success,” said Nina Kubota, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority. “And while we’re wrapping up our current 2020-2024 Capital Plan, I look forward to working with Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks, City Council and our other key stakeholders on our next Capital Plan that will build upon everything we have been able to accomplish so far.”
Schools Chancellor David C. Banks said: “Our school buildings are pillars of each and every community that we serve. These buildings bring together staff, students, families, and neighbors alike. These ten new buildings are prime to ensure that we meet the needs of these communities and families to a greater degree. They are also a reflection of the collaborative work within and between NYC Public Schools, our SCA partners, our school communities, and our community leaders.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said: “I can think of no better way to mark the first day of the school year than by opening this new annex at one of the best high schools you’ll find anywhere in Queens. Thank you so much to SCA President and CEO Nina Kubota, to NYC Public Schools Chancellor David Banks, and to everyone who worked so hard to get this annex, and nine other major school projects across the city, ready in time for the start of the school year. Your work is a reflection of your dedication and commitment to serving our city’s students, who deserve nothing but the best from us.”
Member of Congress Grace Meng said: “I am thrilled to attend and commemorate the opening of this new annex at Benjamin Cardozo High School, and I am excited to see local students benefit from this modern facility that will help them learn and grow. I thank all who worked to make this happen. We must address overcrowding in our schools, and I look forward to the annex helping to alleviate the problem at Cardozo High School.”
Council Member Linda Lee said: “Benjamin Cardozo High School has provided students with quality educational experiences for generations. Today, we unveil a brand-new state-of-the-art annex which will not only remedy some of the most severe overcrowding we have seen in Eastern Queens but show our City’s investment in creating fully accessible workspaces to prioritize the success of our future leaders. Our students and teachers have endured many challenges over the past few years, grappling with the stresses of the pandemic and remote learning. I am proud to join my colleagues to celebrate the advancement of our educational infrastructure, and I want to thank former Council Member Barry Grodenchik, and the School Construction Authority for their work and advocacy for the betterment of our Eastern Queens school communities.”
State Senator John Liu said: “For decades, our students and teachers have endured overcrowded classrooms not just here at Cardozo High School, but all around NYC. Research shows that smaller class sizes lead to improved student outcomes in every measurable metric from test scores, classroom engagement, student behavior, attendance, and graduation rates. This annex is a tremendous addition to the Cardozo High School community that will provide needed relief to the students and flexibility for teachers. Many thanks to NYC Public Schools, SCA, and all the students, staff and families of Cardozo for working together to make this important expansion happen. Now let’s be sure to build on this momentum to expand even more schools that are at or over capacity so that all our students can have access to a sound, basic education.”
Assembly Member Edward Braunstein said: “I am pleased to join the Benjamin N. Cardozo High School community in celebrating the completion of the new annex, which will alleviate overcrowding. The annex also creates the space to offer expanded educational opportunities to students, furthering Cardozo’s longstanding reputation of academic excellence. I thank the School Construction Authority for their hard work on the eagerly anticipated annex, which will benefit the community for generations to come.”
2023 Openings
Cardozo High School Annex — 795 seats
221-15 58th Avenue
District 78, Queens
The Cardozo High School Annex is a fully air-conditioned, accessible four-story building providing 25 standard classrooms and two special education classrooms for grades 9-12. The new annex includes reading and speech resource rooms, science lab and prep rooms, a robotics lab, a mock court room, production and media center, supervisory offices, principal’s office, and a teachers’ work room. Designed by the SCA, construction began in August 2019 after a $47.8 million contract for the new annex was awarded to Arnell Construction.
I.S. 429 — 725 seats
47-10 Barnett Avenue
District 30, Queens
I.S. 429 is a fully air-conditioned, accessible five-story school building providing 24 standard classrooms and two special education classrooms for grades 6-8. The new school includes reading, speech, science labs and prep rooms, art classrooms, a music suite, library, gymatorium, exercise room, medical, guidance, and administrative suites, staff lunch and conference room, parent room, kitchen and cafeteria, and outdoor play space. Designed by the SCA, construction began in September 2019 after a $68.9 million contract for the new school was awarded to Navillus Tile.
P.S. 593 — 463 seats
140 Beach 112th Street
District 27, Queens
P.S. 593, the Waterside Children’s School, is a fully air-conditioned, accessible, three-story leased school building providing two pre-k classrooms, four kindergarten classrooms, 16 standard classrooms, and two special education classrooms for grades pre-k-5. The new school includes reading, speech and science rooms, art and music classrooms, a library, gymatorium, medical, guidance and administrative suites, staff lunch and conference room, a parent / community room, kitchen and cafeteria, and outdoor play space. Designed by Salem & Giacalone Architects, construction began in June 2022.
P.S. 46 Addition — 435 seats
64-45 218th Street
District 26, Queens
The addition at P.S. 46 is a fully air-conditioned, accessible three-story building providing two pre-k classrooms, one kindergarten classroom, 12 standard classrooms, and seven special education classrooms for grades pre-k-5. The new addition includes reading and speech rooms, science, art, and music classrooms, a library, medical suite, supervisory offices and an administrative suite, a parent room, and kitchen and cafeteria. Designed by Kliment Halsband Architects, construction began in February 2020 after a $45.4 million contract was awarded to Navillus Tile.
P.S. 206 Addition — 392 seats
61-01 97th Place
District 28, Queens
The addition at P.S. 206, the Horace Harding School, is a fully air-conditioned, accessible three-story building providing two pre-k classrooms, six kindergarten classrooms, 10 standard classrooms, and one special education classroom for grades pre-k-5. The new addition includes two reading/speech rooms, exercise room, and a kitchen and cafeteria. Designed by CTA Architects, construction began in October 2019 after a $39.4 million contract was awarded to Technico Construction Services.
Jonas Bronck Academy — 380 seats
400 East Fordham Road
District 10, Bronx
The 3rd floor lease expansion at the Jonas Bronck Academy features 14 standard classrooms and one special education classroom for grades 6-8. The new expansion includes reading/speech rooms, a computer room, science lab and prep room, exercise room, teachers’ work room, parent / community room, medical suite, staff lunchroom, warming kitchen, and student dining area / conference room. Designed by Caples Jefferson Architects, construction began in August 2021 after a $13.9 million contract was awarded to Ianelli Construction.
P.S. 557 — 332 seats
4302 4th Avenue
District 15, Brooklyn
P.S. 557, the Sunset Park Avenues Elementary School, is a fully air-conditioned, accessible, four-story school building providing 14 standard classrooms and two special education classrooms for grades pre-k-5. The new school includes reading and speech rooms, music classroom and project room, a library, gymatorium, medical, guidance and administrative suites, parent/community room, staff lunch/conference room, kitchen and cafeteria, and outdoor play space. Designed by Rawlings Architects, construction began in November 2019 after a $47.7 million contract was awarded to Plaza Construction.
P.S. 730 — 328 seats
4513 8th Avenue
District 15, Brooklyn
P.S. 730, the School of Creativity and Innovation, is a fully air-conditioned, accessible five-story school building providing 12 standard classrooms and two special education classrooms for grades 3-5. The new school includes reading and speech rooms, music classroom and project room, a library, gymatorium, medical, guidance and administrative suites, parent / community room, staff lunch / conference room, kitchen and cafeteria, and outdoor play space. Designed by RKTB Architects, construction began in April 2019 after a $47.8 million contract was awarded to the Morganti Group.
P.S. 748 — 312 seats
424 Albee Square West
District 13, Brooklyn
P.S. 748, the Albee Square Campus, is part of a new, mixed-used high-rise development providing 14 standard classrooms and two special education classrooms for grades pre-k-5. The new school includes reading and speech rooms, music classroom and project room, a library, gymatorium, medical, guidance and administrative suites, parent/community room, staff lunch / conference room, kitchen and cafeteria, and outdoor play space. Designed and constructed by DI Group Architecture, construction began in November 2021 after the award of a $22.4 million contract.
P.S. 47 – 260 seats
9 Power Road
District 27, Queens
P.S. 47 is a fully air-conditioned, accessible four-story school building providing one 3K classroom, one pre-k classroom, one kindergarten classroom, nine standard classrooms, and two special education classrooms for grades 3k-8. The replacement building includes reading, speech and science rooms, art and music classrooms, a library, gymatorium, medical, guidance and administrative suites, staff lunch and conference room, parent / community room, kitchen and cafeteria, and outdoor play space. Designed by Purcell Everett Architects, construction began in November 2021 after a $49.9 million contract was awarded to Citnalta Construction.
The SCA also continues to add capacity for our youngest students. The current Capital Plan includes $756 million to expand the 3-K and Pre-K for All Initiatives. This year, the SCA will complete fifteen locations designed for approximately 2,100 early childhood seats. The SCA has brought nearly 16,000 early childhood seats online since the initiative’s inception. NYC Public Schools will use these new sites to serve family need, increasing access to Birth-to-Five seats across the city. The services offered and start dates will vary by site.
Since 2014, the SCA has added nearly 71,000 new seats to reduce overcrowding and increase diversity throughout the school system. As part of this effort, the Capital Plan allocates $317 million for the removal of transportable classroom units (TCU’s). Of the original 354 TCU’s only 26 remain at seven locations.
As part of the SCA’s Public Art for Public Schools program, Public Art for Public Schools installed eight new, site-specific artworks in new buildings this year by artists Béatrice Coron, Justin Kim, Kerry R. Thompson, José Carlos Casado Mancha, Amanda McCavour, Christian Sampson, Destiny Palmer and Val Britton. Artworks were created using a variety of materials including dichroic glass, mirror, metal, digitally printed glass, ceramic pigment on tile and printed aluminum composite.
