Garfield, NJ ( May 9, 2008)- The new Garfield Middle School, which provides 21st century educational opportunities for 1,100 students in grades 6 through 8, was formally dedicated today at a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Garfield School District.

New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) officials joined students, parents, teachers and residents at the dedication of the new school, which opened last September and has helped to ease overcrowding in the district The school is next to the new Early Childhood Center at Ray Street, creating a large educational zone within the city.

The district’s celebration continues tomorrow with a daylong Community Open House offering public tours of the new Garfield Middle School, which has many features accessible to the community when the school is not in session.

The 179,000-square-foot middle school consists of a three-story academic wing connected to the community wing by a two-story center core. A circular entrance lobby serves as a pivotal point for entry into the three main sections of the school. The academic wing consists of 45 general classrooms, six science labs, six special education classes and eight small-group instruction rooms. The community wing includes a cafeteria/auditorium with a full-service kitchen, a gymnasium, computer labs and instructional spaces for choral and band rooms. The center core has the administrative offices on the first floor, while the second floor contains the media center with art and discovery rooms.

Overall, the Authority has completed 41 schools, 37 major renovations and additions, and nearly 400 health, safety and other projects in SDA Districts (formerly classified as Abbott Districts). The Authority has 26 active projects in SDA Districts.