The Buffalo Public School District has completed the last school building of the more than $1 billion Joint Schools Reconstruction Project. On Monday morning, city school officials and students gathered outside of International Preparatory for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of reconstruction work.
International Prep is the former Grover Cleveland High School that encompasses a huge block along 14th Street, Normal Avenue, York Street and Jersey Street. http://youtu.be/yG-I6PuLIVQ
Principal Carlos Alvarez there are many upgrades to the school building that dates back to 1913.
"Our students have the great fortune to attend a school that has interactive white boards in every classroom, four computer labs, new art and music classrooms, a new cafeteria, a new home, career and technology suites," said Alvarez.
The building originally served as Buffalo State College before it moved its campus to Elmwood Avenue. It was then named after President Grover Cleveland and served as a Buffalo Public School.
"Grover Cleveland -- I-Prep -- is what a building ought to be. It is what a school should be and it is what a student body can be proud of," said Interim Buffalo Schools Superintendent Don Ogilvie.
Today 42-percent of I-Prep students are English Language Learners. Over 30-different languages are spoken at the school. I-Prep is one of the district's priorities schools.
Principal Alvarez noted that student achievement is on the rise at I-Prep.
"Last school year we made great academic gains, including increasing student achievement on ten of 15 New York State Assessments and increasing our graduation rate by 16%," stated Alvarez
"Last school year we made great academic gains, including increasing student achievement on ten of 15 New York State Assessments and increasing our graduation rate by 16%," stated Alvarez.
International Prep serves about 800-students in grades 5th through 12th and also houses the STAR Academy.