New 876-Seat High School Opens In Jamaica: What To Know

QUEENS, NY — The New York City School Construction Authority celebrated the opening of the new Q497 high school at 165-15 88th Avenue in Queens.

The state-of-the-art 876-seat facility in Jamaica serves students in grades 9 through 12 and opened to students last week.

The building will house Queens High School for the Sciences as well as a District 75 program.

It includes 18 standard classrooms, two special education classrooms and eight additional special education classrooms for the District 75 program.

The school features science laboratories, art and music classrooms, a library, reading and speech resource rooms, physical and occupational therapy rooms, medical and guidance suites, a gym, locker rooms, dining areas and outdoor play space.

“Q497 gives Queens families 876 new seats and gives students a school designed to support them as they learn, grow, and prepare for what comes next. It is especially important that this building includes dedicated spaces and programming for students with different learning needs," SCA President and Chief Executive Officer Celeste Ramirez said.

"That is what equity in our schools should look like—making sure every child has a place where they can learn, feel supported and reach their full potential.”

The $110.75 million project began construction in October 2022.

The NYC School Construction Authority served as architect and engineer, with Leon D. DeMatteis Construction as the general contractor.