STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The scaffolding around New Dorp High School is starting to come down as construction and repairs approach completion. The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) has confirmed that the $11 million renovation project, which began in the spring of 2022, is nearing its final stages.

The extensive project has focused on replacing the roof and repairing the masonry of the four-story school building, located at 465 New Dorp Lane. The school, which has been a fixture in the community for over four decades, is composed of four towers connected by a central hub. In addition to roof replacement, parapets—extensions of walls around the roof—are also being repaired as part of the work.

‍Scaffolding Removal Timeline and Further Work

Although much of the scaffolding has already been removed, some will remain for another six weeks to allow for the final touches on the roof and masonry repairs. Kevin Ortiz, a spokesperson for the SCA, mentioned that the remaining exterior work should be wrapped up soon.

“There’s still a bit of work to be done on the roof, and we’ll need the scaffolding for another six weeks,” Ortiz said. “But the main structure is nearly complete.”

Inside the building, a separate ventilation project is currently underway. Ortiz added that this internal work should be finished within the next four to five months, ensuring improved air quality and circulation throughout the school.

Safety and Construction Timeline

The scaffolding, which has been visible for the past couple of years, was put in place to facilitate safe repairs and protect workers while extensive exterior work was completed. “It was crucial for safety reasons,” the SCA previously stated, “but as the project nears completion, we can begin removing the scaffolding.”

‍A Look Back at New Dorp High School’s History

New Dorp High School’s origins trace back to 1936 when the original school opened its doors at 485 Clawson St. Over the years, as Staten Island’s population grew—particularly after the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in 1964—a larger school was needed. In response, the current New Dorp Lane building was constructed and opened its doors to students in September 1982.

The original building now houses Staten Island Technical High School.

Today’s New Dorp High School

Today, New Dorp High School is one of the largest in New York City, serving more than 3,100 students in grades 9 through 12. Despite being a major educational institution in the city, the school’s building needed significant upgrades to keep pace with both the growing student body and evolving educational needs.

Future of the Renovation and Next Steps

Once the renovation is fully complete, the building will be better equipped to accommodate its large student population and provide a safer, more comfortable learning environment. The modernization of New Dorp High School reflects ongoing efforts by the SCA to improve educational facilities across New York City.

New Dorp High School’s renovation project is expected to wrap up by the middle of 2025, with the final internal work completed by the end of this year.

Originally reported by Annalise knudson in Silive.