On September 23, city leaders joined students, teachers and community residents for the official opening of the long-awaited Sunset Park High School. School and community members gathered on the school steps for a ribbon-cutting ceremony with remarks by NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, NYC Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, NY State Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, and City Council Member Sara Gonzalez.

Sunset Park High School welcomed an initial class of 375 9th graders in September, and will eventually grow to serve 1,500 students in grades 9-12. The three Small Learning Communities that make up the school allow students to explore different subjects through the lenses of Business & Entrepreneurship, Visual & Performing Arts, and Health & Human Services. The high school building is also home to Lillian Rashkis Career Community, a District 75 program, and temporary home to the new Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, a middle school that will incubate in the building for two years.

Speakers recognized the tireless efforts of the Sunset Park High School Task Force, which brought together community organizations and neighborhood residents to make the first ever public high school in Sunset Park a reality. (You can read more about the community's effort here.) Borough President Marty Markowitz described the school's opening as a celebration not only of walls going up, but also walls coming down, noting the diverse school community and commitment to an inclusive learning environment that integrates students with special education needs.

An afternoon community barbecue celebration, hosted by the Task Force, gave parents and community members an opportunity to meet the school's staff and tour the new building. Sunset Park High School offers first-rate amenities, including air conditioning, two gymnasiums, a beautiful 500-seat auditorium, dance and art studios, choral and instrumental music rooms and wireless internet connection in the entire building.