Hoboken announces new middle school for fall, expands pre-school

HOBOKEN — The Hoboken public schools have announced plans to create a middle school separate from Hoboken High School next fall.
The two schools presently share a building, although they are considered separate. Some parents have, in the past, said they would like the younger kids to be in a separate place from the older ones.
In a newsletter from Superintendent Christine Johnson forwarded among parents, Johnson wrote, “I am thrilled to announce that plans are underway to open a standalone, comprehensive Middle School in September 2017 for 7th and 8th grade students at the Demarest School. Currently, we are discussing specifications for the building and work that will be completed to get the building ready for the opening of school. I am beginning the search process for the hiring of a principal and will further discuss program development with the Board of Education, administrators, staff, and families.”
The Demarest School is located next to Church Square Park on Fourth Street. It was once the city’s high school, and Frank Sinatra is an alum.
She also announced that Brandt School will add a second grade, and will continue to have a first grade. The school already has pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade. She noted, “We are currently assessing projected kindergarten enrollment numbers for next school year to determine how many sections of kindergarten we will operate in each of our elementary schools (Brandt, Calabro, Connors, and Wallace).”
She also noted, “The New Jersey Department of Education has approved our request for preschool expansion for the 2017-2018 school year. As you may know, our preschool program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Education. Over the past few years, interest and registration numbers have exceeded the number of seats made available to us. Please be assured that we have successfully advocated to add classrooms each year. During the 2011-2012 school year, the Hoboken School District Operated 38 preschool classes. We are currently operating 55 preschool classes. Next year, the New Jersey Department of Education has approved and agreed to fund 59 preschool classrooms for the Hoboken Public School District.”
School is closed Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 in honor of Martin Luther King.
To follow developments in the public schools, keep reading the Hoboken Reporter.