P.S. 8 elementary school in downtown Brooklyn will be expanded to accommodate an influx of students that is anticipated due to a rapid development in the area.
P.S. 8, located at 37 Hicks St. is the only public elementary school in the neighborhood, and it has been growing in popularity in the last five years.
"It?s a challenge when you have an overcrowded school, but it?s a good challenge because it means people want to be there," says School Chancellor Joel Klein.
The new annex to the school will be built in the back parking lot, adding 150 extra seats.
Principal Seth Phillips says classrooms will be at full capacity in September, and he believes the annex will solve all their future problems.
?It?s really great the DOE recognizes the need and stepped up to the plate to do something about it,? says Donna Webster, a parent.
Designs for the new annex have not been drawn yet, but construction is expected to be completed in 2011.