By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Forte Preparatory Academy marked a milestone in its educational journey within
the Queens community with the groundbreaking of a new high school building on
June 17. Located at 78-06 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, Queens, the ceremony
heralded the commencement of construction on a sprawling 60,000-square-foot lot.
The event, attended by Forte Prep students, parents, staff, and local officials
including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, showcased plans for a six-
story standalone facility slated to open its doors in 2026. Spearheaded by Apex
Development, the innovative design promises a host of amenities tailored to
enhance the student experience.
“This represents an opportunity for the vision of our program and our facility to be
in sync with one another,” said Graham Browne, Founder and Chief Executive
Officer at Fort Preparatory Academy. “Just like our long-term home at Reeder Street,
the Queens Boulevard High School will serve as a beacon for the potential and
promise of public education in our corner of Queens. I’m so excited to be able to
deliver our long-term high school home to our current Forte Prep freshmen who
will complete their high school journey in the new building.”
Among the features outlined are a full-size basketball court, dedicated science labs,
specialized art and music rooms, a media center and library, and a rooftop terrace
designed for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The building will also boast a 3,000-
square-foot cafeteria and multipurpose room, catering to both academic and
communal needs.
Founded in 2017, Forte Prep has operated as a middle school at 51-35 Reeder Street
in Elmhurst, with a temporary high school location in Glendale since 2023. The new
high school facility aims to consolidate their educational offerings, fostering greater
collaboration and resource sharing between the middle and high school divisions.
Browne acknowledged the extensive effort required to bring the project to fruition,
expressing gratitude to Forte Prep’s leadership team, legal advisors, architects,
funders, and consultants. He emphasized the significance of the new facility in
providing a permanent home for Forte Prep’s growing student body, enabling them
to flourish in a purpose-built environment.
“This is a grand undertaking,” Browne said. “It’s not easy to get to this point, with all
the work that goes into developing and designing and building, not to mention
negotiating a lease, and so I’d like to thank Forte Prep’s Senior Leadership Team, our
legal team, architects, funders and consultants in helping to get us to this point.”
Forte Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free institution located in Elmhurst is
dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds through rigorous
academics, creative enrichment, and leadership development. Founded on the belief
in the transformative power of education, Forte Prep prepares students to excel in
college preparatory high schools and beyond.
