Facilities Plan:
School-by-School

Delaware Community School (formerly PS 18)
43 Bertha Street

Delaware Community School -- formerly known as Public School 18 -- opened its doors as a brand new school in January 2007. The original School 18 was demolished in July 2005 to make way for a brand new, state-of-the-art school.

The original school was constructed as a one-floor building in 1914. A second floor was added in 1916, and a third in 1918. However, the original school could not be restored to meet the educational standards of students today.

For example, classrooms in the original building could not support computer use due to limited electrical outlets. PS 18 was also not handicapped accessible. The gym was small and poorly designed. Student bathrooms were located only in the basement.

New & State-of-the-Art School  
The 50,000-square-foot, three-story school is divided into "neighborhoods" with more space for an outside playground and off-street parking. The new building will have an interior courtyard and serve up to 450 students in grades K-5.

Classrooms are designed to provide smaller learning environments where students are grouped by grade level. The school will also be handicapped accessible, energy efficient, and technologically advanced. In addition, the district has purchased additional property to provide room for the new playground and parking areas.  

The new school includes:

• 18 classrooms for grades K-5 (all kindergarten rooms with toilets)

• 2 special education classrooms with support rooms for special services

• 2 tutorial/enrichment classrooms

• 1 music room with practice area and space for storage

• 1 art room with kiln and storage space

• Library/media center

• Computer classroom

• Gymnasium

• Cafeteria

• Administrative support areas for principal, counseling, attendance, and special services

• Nurse's suite with exam room, bed area, and toilet

• Faculty work area

• Parent/community room

Site work:

• Children's play area

• Off-street parking

• A bus drop-off with curb recess for loading and unloading

Other features:

• Computers and Internet access in every classroom

• Air conditioning throughout the building

• Full handicapped accessibility

• Energy-efficient heating and ventilation systems

• Building security and fire detection systems