A long-awaited win is on the horizon for local families: the newly renovated early childhood education space at 1972 Broadway (at West 66th Street) is finally set to open its doors this fall. Although the Department of Education (DOE) initially claimed there wasn’t enough demand to open a program at the site, Council Member Gale Brewer helped lead the charge to change that narrative.
DOE data tells the story: over the past five years, District 75 (Special Education) enrollment has increased by 23% in Manhattan and 8% in School District 3, which includes Lincoln Square. In response, the DOE now plans to launch a District 75 kindergarten site at 1972 Broadway in September, with six new sections serving 36–48 students.
Looking ahead, the DOE is also considering adding general education early childhood at the site in the 2026–2027 school year—but they need to see continued community demand. Already, nearly 100 families with children turning four between 2025 and 2028 have completed a survey expressing interest in sending them to this space. If your family qualifies, take a moment to complete the District 6 Pre-K Survey by Friday, August 1.
This is an exciting step forward for early learning in Lincoln Square—and a great example of what community advocacy can accomplish. Special thanks to Council Member Gale Brewer for sharing this information and continuing to champion early childhood education in our community.
Photo Source: Canva
