The John Dewey Annex, a new three-story school in Gravesend, officially opened Tuesday, adding 553 seats for Brooklyn students as the city continues expanding public school capacity ahead of the 2026-2027 school year. 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYC School Construction Authority President and CEO Celeste A. Ramirez marked the opening of the John Dewey Annex at 106 Avenue X on Sept. 8. The $77.71 million facility will serve students in grades six through eight and provide a pathway to the adjacent John Dewey High School. 

The John Dewey Annex is one of 10 new school facilities opening across the city this school year, with the projects collectively adding 4,656 seats. The new facilities are intended to expand access to updated learning spaces while helping the city meet class size requirements. 

The opening of the John Dewey Annex is one of many new educational facilities opening in the city this school year.Rendering courtesy of NYC School Construction Authority

In a statement, Mamdani said that the annex is “an investment in Brooklyn’s children and in the future of the [Gravesend] community.” 

“By adding 553 new seats and building modern learning spaces, we are giving more families in southern Brooklyn access to a public school they can be proud of,” he said. “This is what it looks like when we invest in our children, our public schools and the communities they call home and for our City, our schools, and our communities work together to build a stronger future for our children.”

Students will have access to science laboratories, art and music classrooms, a ‘gymatorium’ with locker rooms, an exercise room, library, guidance and medical suites, a full kitchen, dining areas and an outdoor playground.Rendering courtesy of NYC School Construction Authority

The facility includes 18 general education classrooms and two special education classrooms, along with reading and speech resource rooms. Students will also have access to science laboratories, art and music classrooms, a “gymatorium” with locker rooms, an exercise room, a library, guidance and medical suites, a full kitchen, dining areas and an outdoor playground. 

The SCA’s in-house team designed the project, and the city says it was built entirely with union labor. 

“I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani for giving me the opportunity to deliver modern learning environments that support student achievement while advancing the Authority’s priorities—accelerating classroom construction to help meet class size requirements, modernizing aging school infrastructure, expanding sustainable building practices, and ensuring every project reflects the needs of the communities it serves,” Ramirez said in a statement. “That means delivering projects safely and on time; prioritizing green, accessible schools that can serve every child; and, most importantly, earning the trust of our communities through meaningful partnerships with NYC Public Schools, families, parents, educators and local stakeholders.”

The John Dewey Annex celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 8.Photo courtesy of NYC School Construction Authority

Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels also highlighted the John Dewey Annex’s role in expanding instructional space for students. 

“This new annex at will create access to high-quality instructional spaces for over 550 students while helping us meet class size requirements,” he said. “When we build for our children, we are building a stronger future for our entire city.”

The John Dewey Annex is among several Brooklyn school projects opening or expanding this year. P.S. 206’s addition will add 517 seats, while a new intermediate school at 4012 Fort Hamilton Parkway will add 487 seats. The K280 Educational Campus at 500 19th Street is also slated to add 96 seats.

Separately, room-conversion projects at 10 existing schools are adding another 384 seats across the five boroughs, according to the city.