First day of school includes 120 of the Borough’s youngest learners
in magnificent space designed especially for them
CARTERET, NJ – Just before the new school year started, Mayor Daniel J. Reiman and Borough Council members joined School Superintendent Rosa Diaz and Borough school officials to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Columbus Early Childhood Center.
The school addition was created especially for the Borough’s youngest learners: 3- and 4-year-old preschool students.
“The exciting milestone would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of many,” Superintendent Diaz said. “We are grateful for the continued support of Mayor Daniel Reiman and the Carteret Borough Council, whose partnership and commitment to our schools have helped make projects like this possible. We also extend our appreciation to DMR Architects, EPIC, and M&M Construction for their partnership in bringing our vision for this facility to life. Every detail of the Columbus Early Childhood Center was designed with our youngest learners in mind, creating a welcoming and engaging environment where children can learn, explore, grow, and thrive.”
Mayor Reiman added, “In keeping with the school motto Ramblers Rise, the Early Childhood Center at Columbus School is one of many examples of how the Carteret Public Schools is rising to the next level of educational excellence. The project will significantly benefit our community, providing more families with access to high-quality preschool education and laying a strong foundation for the future success of our youngest residents. We wish the school district, Columbus School and its new Early Childhood Center all the best.”
According to the school district, the total cost to launch the program was $10.6 million. A $5.85 million grant from the state Department of Education covered a significant portion of the expenses.
The addition significantly will enhance the district’s ability to accommodate preschool education, benefiting families across the Carteret community, Superintendent Diaz said.
“A high-quality preschool program is not just about what children learn – it’s also about where they learn,” the Superintendent said. “The right infrastructure, including modern classrooms and spaces for physical development, creates an environment where children can thrive. These early years are critical for building essential skills in language, literacy and social-emotional growth. By investing in both our programs and our facilities, we’re ensuring that every child in Carteret, regardless of their background, has the strong foundation they need for lifelong success.”
The new addition includes eight classrooms, a large gross motor skills room, nine bathrooms and two office spaces, creating a dedicated space for up to 120 preschool students. The inclusion of a gross motor skills room highlights the district’s commitment to a holistic approach to early childhood development, recognizing that physical activity is a vital part of the learning process for young.
The expansion not only will increase the capacity of the district’s existing preschool programs but also will help support the growing needs of Carteret’s special education population, Superintendent Diaz said.
Carteret offers 16 preschool classrooms across three elementary schools – Columbus, Nathan Hale and Private Nicholas Minue – serving a total of 240 students. The expansion allows for the redistribution of current students to better meet community needs while increasing accessibility for families in the district, according to the school district.
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