CORONA — A new elementary school with more than 400 seats will be ready in time for the new school year, offering relief for one of the most overcrowded districts in the city, the Department of Education said.
Work was still being done at the new P.S. 330, on Northern Boulevard between 112th and 111th streets, on Wednesday. The four-story building, which is still under construction, should be ready in time for the school year, according to the Department of Education.
The new building is expected to house 540 to 600 students when it reaches full capacity by 2017, according to the DOE.
The school will help alleviate overcrowding in Corona and is closer to most students’ homes than the building the school was previously using in East Elmhurst.
“As we put up brand new, state-of-the-art buildings around the city, we’re meeting the needs of our schools and communities,” the department said. “This is a fantastic new building, and we’re confident that P.S. 330 will deliver well for its students there.”
The additional space is needed in the district, which is considered the “epicenter for overcrowding” in city public schools.
A population boom in both District 24, where P.S. 330 is located, and neighboring District 30 has left long waiting lists for pre-kindergarten admittance.
Last spring, Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras and other lawmakers held meetings for an overcrowding task force, which is meant to find ways to tackle the problem.
Ferreras’ office said the meetings are used as a sounding board to hear suggestions from parents, as well as keep them informed about education issues in the neighborhood.
They plan to hold another meeting once the school year starts, her office said.
