Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Kamar H. Samuels have announced the launch of five new public schools set to open across the Bronx and Queens for the 2026–27 academic year, marking a significant push to expand access to high-quality education in underserved communities.
The initiative aims to ease chronic overcrowding in key neighborhoods while increasing access to specialized education, particularly for students with disabilities. It also reflects a broader strategy to modernize learning through innovation, arts integration, and culturally responsive teaching.
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Mayor Mamdani emphasized that the new schools are designed to reflect the city’s identity and future. He noted that creativity, excellence, and cultural expression should be central to the educational experience, adding that students across New York City deserve learning environments that prepare them for real-world success.
Chancellor Samuels echoed this vision, describing the expansion as a bold step toward educational equity. He highlighted that the schools will provide rigorous academic programs tailored to diverse student needs while equipping learners with the skills necessary for college, careers, and long-term success.
Among the new institutions is the Academy of Cultural Excellence in Long Island City, which will serve students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school will focus on project-based learning, arts integration, and student-centered instruction to foster critical thinking and creativity.
In the Bronx, a new District 75 school in the Highbridge/South Crotona area will cater to students with disabilities from kindergarten through eighth grade. Its arts-centered approach will blend academics with visual and performing arts to support communication, independence, and academic development.
Another Bronx-based high school in the Claremont section will serve grades nine through 12, using hip-hop culture as a framework for instruction. Students will engage in disciplines such as emceeing, DJing, and digital media production, while also receiving traditional academic instruction and financial literacy training.
Queens will also see expanded support for students with disabilities through a new District 75 school in Astoria, serving grades six through 12. The school will incorporate STEM education, technology, and work-based learning opportunities to prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
Additionally, West Q Elementary in Woodside will serve kindergarten through fifth grade students, combining strong foundational instruction in literacy and mathematics with hands-on, project-based learning and a focus on multilingualism.
City officials say the five schools represent the first phase of a broader effort to improve educational access and outcomes across New York City. By increasing seat capacity and introducing innovative teaching models, the administration aims to build a more inclusive and future-ready public education system.
