Officials in Paterson, N.J., celebrate opening of elementary school

Officials in Paterson, N.J., have dedicated a new 750-student elementary school.

The Paterson Times reports that School 16 is a $62.4 million school building that encompasses 109,000 square feet and will house students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight.

The campus has 24 general-use, four kindergarten, and four pre-kindergarten classrooms, as well as specialized instructional spaces and labs, a media center, cafetorium, gymnasium, and administrative and support facilities. The building was designed with an eye toward receiving LEED Gold certification for its sustainable elements, such as solar power, bicycle racks, and sensor lights in all classrooms.

The old School 16 building, constructed in 1891, was the oldest facility in the Paterson district. The campus had no gym, no cafeteria, no library, and no auditorium, says city councilman Andre Sayegh.

Because of the school's deteriorating condition, the state decided to demolish it and began building a new facility in 2014.

The new campus includes a separate play area with playground equipment. It also has an artificial turf field with soccer goal posts, a volleyball court, and a basketball court for students.