A Historic Milestone in Early Education: Shenendehowa Central School District Celebrates Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Atrea Early Learning Center
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — Sept. 3, 2026 — The Shenendehowa Central School District officially ushered in a new era of early childhood education with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the Atrea Early Learning Center at 5 Maxwell Drive. Marking the formal launch of the district’s inaugural, dedicated full-day kindergarten center, the event brought together district leadership, Board of Education members, local government officials, community partners, educators, and local families to celebrate a transformative achievement for the Shenendehowa community.
Starting this fall, the state-of-the-art facility serves approximately 630 enrolled kindergarten students supported by a dedicated team of nearly 100 instructional, administrative, and support staff members. Designed specifically around the developmental needs of five-year-olds, Atrea offers an inclusive play-based, student-centered environment that fosters curiosity, social-emotional growth, and foundational academic skills.
A Vision Transformed: From Generous Donation to State-of-the-Art Reality
The opening of the Atrea Early Learning Center represents the fulfillment of a long-standing district goal to establish a unified, full-day kindergarten program. For years, the Board of Education explored various ways to accommodate full-day kindergarten across existing schools, with the Atrea project ultimately providing the breakthrough solution. This vision became a reality when the Board of Education formally accepted an extraordinary charitable gift from Donald Greene, President of DCG Development, a prominent local commercial developer. DCG Development generously donated the 150,000-square-foot commercial facility and its surrounding 11-acre parcel.
This landmark donation saved the district and taxpayers millions in site acquisition costs and provided the ideal physical footprint to make full-day kindergarten a reality. Following the donation, the district launched an extensive multi-year planning effort:
- Community Investment and Voter Approval: In May 2023, district voters overwhelmingly approved a capital bond proposition to renovate the facility into a custom-designed early learning hub, supported substantially by New York State Building Aid.
- Collaborative Planning: Under the leadership of district administrators and a dedicated Kindergarten Program Planning Ad-Hoc Committee, educators, architects, and facilities specialists collaborated for years to plan every aspect of the project; from play-based curriculum alignment and safety infrastructure to specialized transportation routing.
- Construction and Facility Enhancements: Comprehensive adaptive-reuse construction transformed the former office complex into modern instructional classrooms, speech and literacy suites, dedicated art and music spaces, synthetic-turf outdoor play areas, and custom-designed bus loops and drop-off zones.
District Leadership Perspective
"Bringing all of our youngest learners together under one roof to begin their educational journey at Shenendehowa is transformational for our school district and our entire community," said Dr. Cecily Wilson-Turner, Superintendent of Schools. "This historic day is the culmination of immense vision, generosity, and hard work. Through the vision of the Board of Education and District Leadership, combined with the generous donation by DCG Development to the overwhelming support of our taxpayers and the meticulous planning of our staff, Atrea stands as a testament to what a community can achieve when it invests in its children’s future. We are thrilled to welcome our first class of students into an environment built intentionally for their success."
"Opening the doors of Atrea is the honor of a lifetime," said Erica Ryan, Principal of Atrea Early Learning Center. "Over the past several years, our team has poured endless care into crafting a warm, joyful, and inclusive learning space where every child feels valued and inspired to explore. Transitioning from planning to welcoming our first class of students has been an incredible experience. We are ready to build a loving foundation for our five-year-olds that will support their learning and growth throughout their entire time in Shenendehowa."
Comprehensive Learning and Family Support Services
The Atrea Early Learning Center offers a rich array of academic and developmental services, including:
- Academic and Creative Programs: Core literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies integrated with fine arts, music, library media, and physical education.
- Specialized Student Supports: On-site Academic Intervention Services (AIS), speech and language therapy, and special education support tailored for early learners.
- Extended Care and Convenience: Partnering with the local YMCA, Atrea hosts fee-based before-school care starting at 7 a.m. and after-school care extending to 6 p.m., providing direct convenience for working families.
For more information regarding enrollment, schedules, or facility features, please visit the Atrea Early Learning Center website at atrea.shenschools.org.
About Shenendehowa Central School District:
Shenendehowa Central School District serves thousands of K-12 students across Clifton Park, Halfmoon, and surrounding Southern Saratoga County communities. Grounded in a long-standing commitment to academic excellence, safety, and community partnership, Shenendehowa provides comprehensive educational opportunities that empower students to become lifelong learners and thoughtful global citizens.
Media Contact:
Julie Moynehan, Director of Communications and Public Relations
518-881-0610, x68103
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