Groundbreaking on the new building took place on March 16, 1925. One week later, an architectural drawing of the school was released. Excavation of the site's basement and swimming pool began in April of that year. Upon exhuming the site, it was discovered that the bed of the future building consisted of clay, similar to that of Goose Pond in nearby Captain Tilly Park. The cornerstone was laid at the southeast corner of the building on June 29, 1925. By that year, accusations were already made towards Gompert of faulty construction and inferior material use at the new high school and other new schools under his watch. The new Jamaica High School building was opened February 1, 1927. It was officially dedicated May 12, 1927. The school cost $3 million to construct. At the time of construction, the school building was the largest in the United States. A resolution to create park space around the school was reached on April 30, 1928. Around this time, the property immediately behind the school was acquired in order to create the athletic fields. Meanwhile, accusations of faulty construction persisted, evidenced by warping of school floors due to water damage. This and other accusations of shoddy craftsmanship led to Gompert's resignation from the Board of Education. Upon opening, the only available entrances to the school were at either side. Immediately in front of the school was a large wall of dirt, while six houses were situated along the north side of Gothic Drive; both obstacles impeded access to the school from the south at Gothic Drive and blocked views of its facade. A road provisionally named "Upland Parkway" had initially been planned directly in front of the school, but was not built. The lack of access lead to complaints from students. In May 1929, the homes in front of the school were acquired and razed to create the large lawn areas and entrance in front of the school. In January 1930, the plans for the athletic complex were doubled in size, extending all the way to the Grand Central Parkway on what is now Thomas A. Edison High School. In addition to the current facilities, it would have included a field hockey court, and a large area fronting the parkway for either a polo field or 24 public tennis courts. In August 1931, the design for the new approach from the school to Gothic Drive was revealed. This included fountains at the site of the current World War II memorial. The athletic complex was first used on April 22, 1932, in a baseball game against John Adams High School.