Charter network is converting Staten Island bookstore to a school campus

A network of charter schools in New York City's Staten Island borough has begun work on a permanent home for a campus with a computer science focus.

Integrated Charter Schools (ICS) is converting a former Barnes and Noble bookstore to a home for Richmond Preparatory Charter School.

Richmond Prep offers a college prep program with a computer science focus for grades six to 12. The school provides an inclusive environment for general education students and students with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum, reports The Staten Island Advance.

The new site will have more than double the square footage of the school’s existing location and will proivde additional classroom space, a music room, a science lab and movement studios.

A one-story extension will be constructed on the south side of the building to include a drive-through area for buses and student drop-off/pickup, The building’s rooftop will be used as an outdoor play area for students.

Richmond Prep is the fourth Staten Island charter school operated by ICS. It opened in 2021 with a class of 110 sixth-grade students,