Charter schools’ new building to be completed about Aug. 1

Excitement is building for New Century and New Discoveries charter schools staff and students as the completion date for their new facilities nears. After five months of construction, the site is shaping up to be a school, which has New Discoveries Director Dave Conrad floored.

“We’re still looking at an Aug. 1 completion date,” Conrad said.

The main entrance to the new school faces the north side along Fifth Avenue. Buses will load and drop off to the west, while parents can pick up and drop off students to the east. Students who drive themselves will park to the south and enter to the west — that is, if they’re on time.

“If they’re late, they’ll have to go around,” Conrad said. In which case, someone at the front counter will have to buzz them in as each school is secured with timed locks.

Even in its unfinished state, the opportunities for learning are obvious. Amenities such as staff restrooms, workrooms, a lounge, and a records room provide specific spaces for staff that weren’t available at the temporary sites. But the most excitement is due to the new classrooms.

New Century students will be located on the west side of the building. They have classrooms for instruction and a separate area for their advisories.

On the New Discoveries’ east side is five classrooms, each totaling 1,000 square feet and each will be equipped with cupboards, a sink, its own bathroom, a video projector and a SMARTboard.

“When we’re at capacity, we’ll have 350 kids total,” Conrad said, which is more than double the initial enrollment numbers for the sister schools.