Chelsea, Village residents want new schools

A new school is scheduled to open next year in the same building as the Bayard Rustin High School for Humanities at 351 West 18th Street, which is being phased out, according to the city Department of Education. The school will accept ninth graders next year, and grow to serve grades nine through 12 by 2013. The DOE said the Chelsea school will be open to students citywide, but local advocates want students in the neighborhood to be given first priority due to overcrowding in the area. Meanwhile, Community Board 2 wants New York University to designate space for a public school, as the university said it would in its 25-year growth plan, but NYU said it does not have space available right now. Plans for schools in the area — including ones at Pier 40, 75 Morton Street and the Foundling Hospital building — have been long delayed or canceled.