Claremont Prep Unveils $35 Million Renovation of Lower Manhattan Landmark, Now Home to Middle and High School Students

Online, October 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - NEW YORK, NY - Claremont Preparatory School, a private, for-profit nonsectarian school in Lower Manhattan serving over 525 students from prekindergarten through high school has announced the opening of the new home of its middle and high schools at 1 Morris Street.

"At Claremont Prep we have much to celebrate: an educational experience rich with opportunities for our students and now a magnificent new campus," said Ken Wrye, Interim Headmaster of Claremont Prep. "We have a wonderful school, and are proud to embark on a new era in education in Lower Manhattan with the tremendous opportunities afforded by the world-class facilities in this building."

Claremont Prep welcomed students to the new classroom space on the 20th through 22nd floors of the former Cunard Line Building at 1 Morris Street. The completely renovated facility has bright and spacious classrooms with big windows and dramatic views of the New York Harbor and the Stature of Liberty in addition to a two-story library, large cafeteria, 400 seat theatre and music rooms, and a new art studio that takes up an entire floor.

"We opened our doors in September 2005 in the heart of Lower Manhattan, New York's fastest growing residential neighborhood, with 54 students," said Michael Koffler, Executive Director of Claremont Prep. "Today we have more than 525 students enrolled, and the new campus will enable us to grow, over time, to serve approximately 1,600 students from pre-K through 12th grade."

Claremont Prep will be one of the few schools with two gymnasiums, and the only school in the city to have two competition-size swimming pools, when the new athletic facilities at the 1 Morris Street Campus open in January 2011.

A wide range of students with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status, family configurations and countries of origin attend Claremont Prep. The Claremont Prep community includes many downtown families, as well as families from nearby boroughs, such as Brooklyn and Staten Island, and from other points in and around Manhattan. Claremont Prep is also a frequent choice for children of families who come to New York from international locations.