Three new public schools are set to open in Queens this fall, city officials announced Tuesday, bringing expanded classroom seats, specialized programming and a focus on arts and innovation to neighborhoods grappling with overcrowding.
Mayor Mamdani and city Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the schools — located in Long Island City, Astoria and Woodside — are part of a broader effort to improve access to high-quality education.
The new Queens schools are the Academy of Cultural Excellence in Long Island City, Queens Academy for Innovative Learning in Astoria and West Q Elementary in Woodside. Each is designed to address area needs, from early childhood education to specialized services for students with disabilities.
The Academy of Cultural Excellence will serve students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, emphasizing project-based learning, arts integration and culturally responsive instruction. Officials said the approach is aimed at building creativity and critical thinking skills.
According to the school’s website, it will open at 11-11 40 Ave. in LIC in September, but by fall 2028 will move to 23-10 43 Ave.
In Astoria, the Queens Academy for Innovative Learning will provide District 75 programming for students with disabilities in grades six through 12 at 165-15 88 Ave.
The school will focus on technology integration; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics exploration; and work-based learning to help students transition beyond the classroom.
West Q Elementary in Woodside will serve kindergarten through fifth grade, combining core literacy and math instruction with hands-on, project-based learning and a focus on multilingualism. The school’s website lists its address as 46 -10 70 St.
“Our new schools reflect a bold commitment to expanding access to high-quality, rigorous learning experiences for every student, in every neighborhood,” said Samuels in a prepared statement. “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.”
“Innovation, excellence and art are woven into the fabric of this city — they define what it means to be a New Yorker,” said Mayor Mamdani. “It’s time our schools reflect that reality. Our students deserve the best. This fall, we’ll deliver it with five new public schools that serve students of all ages, expand access for students with disabilities and put the arts at the center of education.”
The three new Queens sites are part of a larger rollout of five new public schools citywide for the 2026-27 academic year, with the other two located in the Bronx.