Corona gets first STEM pre-school

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“Free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K puts our kids on the path to success, and we have made it a right — not a privilege – for every 4-year-old in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

“Free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K puts our kids on the path to success, and we have made it a right — not a privilege – for every 4-year-old in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

By Victoria Merlino

Construction has begun on a state-of-the-art Corona Pre-K that city officials say will offer kids a pioneering level of exposure to science, technology, engineering, art and math, or STEAM.

The Pre-K, which will be located at 47-01 111th St., will partner with the New York Hall of Science to enable students and families to utilize the museum’s facilities and rely on their resources. Students’ families will receive free membership to the New York Hall of Science as part of their enrollment. 

The school will be the first of its kind in the city. 

“Free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K puts our kids on the path to success, and we have made it a right — not a privilege — for every 4-year-old in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “This new Pre-K Center is proof of our commitment to expanding Pre-K to meet the needs of every community, and investing in state-of-the-art STEAM education for our children.”

Under de Blasio, enrollment in city Pre-K programs has increased from 19,000 in 2013, before his hallmark “Pre-K for All” policy began, to 70,000 today. An overwhelming majority of city preschools are meeting or exceeding success indicators for students, according to the Mayor’s Office. 

The school will have 306 seats, 17 pre-K classrooms, two exercise rooms, a playground and a community and parent room. 

Corona community members will be able to offer input into the Pre-K, with the first community vision session scheduled for Nov. 13 from 5-7:30 p.m. at P.S. 19.

“This will be a top-flight Pre-K Center right here in Queens for the growing families of Corona starting September 2021,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz in a statement. “Its coveted STEAM education will help open worlds of limitless opportunities for thousands of our children's futures.”