Atlantic City Public Schools Advanced Summer Projects with New Jersey Avenue School Demolition

While students and teachers began their well-deserved summer break in June 2025, the Atlantic City Public Schools district launched into a season of critical infrastructure upgrades and improvement projects. Among the most notable was the long-awaited demolition of the former New Jersey Avenue School, which had stood vacant for over a decade.

The New Jersey Avenue School, originally built in 1925, was closed in 2012 when the Pennsylvania Avenue School opened its doors. Later that same year, the historic structure suffered severe flood damage during Hurricane Sandy, leaving it unusable and unsafe for future use.

After years of discussion and planning, the school district officially prepared the site for demolition to make room for a brand-new administration building. This initiative reflected the district’s broader vision for modernization and investment in the future.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. La’Quetta S. Small, who began her teaching career at New Jersey Avenue School in 2003, spoke proudly about the project's importance. She reaffirmed the district’s commitment to building infrastructure that serves students, families, and the wider community.

“We want to ensure that both our students and staff have the resources and support they need to succeed,” said Dr. Small. “This new facility will allow us to better serve our schools and centralize essential district operations.”

Atlantic City Board of Education President Shay Steele echoed those sentiments, noting that the board, in collaboration with Dr. Small, had made the new administration building a strategic priority. “We are excited to fulfill the wishes of the community and provide a state-of-the-art facility for our district,” Steele stated.

The new building is expected to centralize district operations and improve accessibility for families, staff, and community members. Its completion will mark a new chapter in how Atlantic City Public Schools deliver support services.

The demolition of New Jersey Avenue School was just one of many summer projects underway across the district. From facility upgrades to preparation efforts for the next school year, the district remained active throughout the summer months to ensure students return in the fall to better-equipped learning environments.

Though classrooms were empty, the Atlantic City Public Schools community worked tirelessly behind the scenes—demonstrating that building a brighter future doesn’t take a summer break.

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Photo Credit: Mark Tyler | Atlantic City Public Schools