Public School Builds: Spotlight on New York City

The surge in renovating public schools across the country has worked its way to full steam ahead, which is long overdue, given that the average public school building is now well over half a century old. Previously, in fact, the nation’s overall school infrastructure received a dismal D+ grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. But that’s changing fast, and keeping  contractors, tradespeople, and project managers around the country bidding and building. Not to be forgotten is New York City, where over 1,400 buildings serve about a million students every year. Read on for highlights on school construction underway in the Big Apple.

More Seats, Less Fossil Fuel, Improved Accessibility

Funded by an ambitious five year capital plan that totals nearly $21 billion, school construction in New York City is attending to a several major policy drivers, including: 

• Class-Size Mandates ($6.13B): Driven by New York State class-size reduction legislation, the SCA is funding more than 33,000 new seats to meet mandatory student-to-teacher caps.
• All-Electric Standards: Under NYC’s building electrification requirements (Local Law 154), all new school facility construction must be 100% all-electric, eliminating fossil fuel combustion on-site.
• Universal Accessibility Goals: The city is retrofitting multi-story brick schoolhouses to boost primary school accessibility and reach compliance milestones outlined in the NYC Public Schools Accessibility Directives.

With COVID in the not too distant past, indoor environmental quality also remains a top priority in New York, and across the country. Studies published by institutions like MDPI’s Buildings Journal demonstrate that optimal classroom thermal control, enhanced ventilation, and balanced lighting directly improve student concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost academic test performance. Clearly, school builds have much to accomplish. New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuel puts it this way: 

Our new schools reflect a bold commitment to expanding access to high-quality, rigorous learning experiences for every student, in every neighborhood….These schools are designed to meet the diverse needs of our communities, including creating seat capacity where needed, delivering innovative and culturally responsive instruction, and preparing students with the skills and confidence to succeed in college, careers, and beyond. This is how we build a stronger, more equitable future for New York City.

New York City’s attention to public schools includes the renovation of existing facilities as well as brand new builds. For example, the Office of The Mayor reports that this year, “back to school” will see the doors open at five new schools: 

• Academy of Cultural Excellence

Serving Pre-K through fifth grade in District 30 in Long Island City, the Academy of Cultural Excellence centers student voice, community and academic rigor. Through project-based learning, arts integration and culturally responsive practices, students engage in real-world learning….

• Bronx School of Arts & Exploration

…This District 75 school serves students with disabilities in kindergarten through eighth grade. Its arts-centered model integrates core academics with visual and performing arts….

• The Bronx School of Hip-Hop

Serving grades nine through 12 in District 9… this high school uses hip-hop culture as a foundation for rigorous instruction. Coursework includes audio production, digital media and financial literacy….

• Queens Academy for Innovative Learning

The District 75 school in Astoria serves students with disabilities in grades six through 12. It emphasizes project-based learning, technology integration and individualized supports, including…work-based learning….

• West Q Elementary

Located in Woodside and serving kindergarten through fifth grade in District 24, West Q Elementary combines foundational literacy and math instruction with project-based learning. The school emphasizes hands-on investigation, community-connected projects and multilingualism….

Ready for School? 

As Lisa Chen observes at Builder Muse:“For general contractors, mechanical and electrical subcontractors, and specialty education facility builders, the school construction market represents one of the most stable and geographically dispersed segments of the construction industry.” Ready to get in on the action? Let us help. In business since 1930, Colonial Surety Company has surety bond programs for construction companies of every size. 

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