Photos from the groundbreaking ceremony held this morning can be found here.
News Release
Restoring San Diego High School: Major Modernizations Underway at Historic Campus
May 3, 2022
SAN DIEGO - San Diego's oldest high school is getting a makeover.
San Diego High School will undergo major renovations with a Whole Site Modernization project that will transform the campus frontage on Park Boulevard, expand the central campus quad, and renovate classrooms and student support spaces.
"We are thrilled to see these improvements come to fruition on our campus," said Francisca Del Carmen, San Diego High School Principal. "We have 140 years of history at this site, now we get to make another hundred in the high quality facilities our students deserve."
"All San Diego Unified students deserve a campus they can be proud of," said Dr. Lamont Jackson, San Diego Unified Superintendent. "Modern learning environments, like the ones planned at San Diego High, will help students thrive in all of their endeavors."
WATCH: 3D Flythrough of SDHS' Upcoming Modernization
The modernization represents the latest renovations for a school that has served students for 140 years. Now in 2022, the upcoming project will rejuvenate the campus once again, complementing the long list of successful teachers, alumni and decorated athletes - including the "Mother of Balboa Park," Kate Sessions, who taught at San Diego High, and National Football League (NFL) player Art Powell, who graduated in the 1950s.
"From its beginning in 1881, San Diegans voted to fund the construction of a public school in the heart of San Diego," said Richard Barrera, Board of Education Trustee. "The choice by voters to continue investing in San Diego High, and the 2016 decision to amend the city charter, are resounding endorsements by San Diegans of the district's effort to maintain San Diego High at its historic location."
The Whole Site Modernization project will be executed by a construction contractor that has roots in the area that are as deep as San Diego High School's.
"We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with one of our most trusted and respected clients, the San Diego Unified School District, on the modernization of San Diego High School," said Jeff Jenco, Swinerton Operations Manager, Target Markets Education Group. "Swinerton and San Diego High School were both established in the 1880s. This successful endeavor is just another milestone in the celebrated histories of two San Diego icons."
San Diego Unified's capital projects are funded by the district's Propositions S and Z, and Measure YY, which are local bond measures approved by San Diego voters to repair, renovate and revitalize neighborhood schools.
RELATED LINKS:
San Diego High School Community Construction Announcement
Video: SDHS Alumni Association's history of San Diego High
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jamie Ries, Facilities Communication Liaison, San Diego Unified, 619-855-9283, jries@sandi.net.
Samer Naji, Facilities Communication Supervisor, San Diego Unified, 619-548-3388, snaji@sandi.net.
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