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Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet School Students Celebrate Completion of Major Campus Improvement Project
SAN DIEGO (March 12, 2025) - Kensington staple Franklin Elementary STEAM Magnet School has officially finished major renovations.
With a Pledge of Allegiance and singing performances, Franklin STEAM Magnet students on Wednesday joined San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim) Dr. Fabi Bagula, Board of Education Trustee Shana Hazan, City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, parents, and community members to celebrate the significant renovation of the century-old campus.
As part of the Whole Site Modernization project, aging buildings were removed to make room for a new state-of-the-art two-story classroom building.
“Our students deserve the best facilities and that’s what they have now,” said Principal Tamara Muhammad. “We are so grateful for parents, the community, the school district, and the city for working together to ensure the best for our students. It truly takes a village.”
The new facility includes collaborative workspaces, classrooms, a staff lounge, and a student food services kitchen, which is part of an expanded student dining area underneath a shade canopy. All existing classrooms were renovated and modernized. Outdoor improvements include renovated kindergarten and upper-grade playgrounds with shaded play structures, a learning garden with a shade canopy, and new landscaping.
Campuswide safety was improved with a monitored secure single point of entry, modern public address/intercom system, security cameras, intrusion and fire alarm systems, and secure perimeter fencing.
“As a trustee, advocate, and a mother of a student who attended Franklin from kindergarten to 5th grade, it’s incredible to see this project come to life at one of our district’s oldest elementary schools,” said Shana Hazan, Board of Education Trustee. “These new facilities represent our commitment—not just to modernizing our schools, but to honoring the history, traditions, and values that make Franklin so special to the Mid-City community.”
Before being elected as a trustee, Hazan was president of the Franklin Elementary School Foundation and a school site council member. Her family also has deep roots at Franklin—Hazan’s grandmother attended the school more than 85 years ago.
Wednesday also marked “National Working Moms Day,” which celebrates the educators and inspirational fixtures in children's lives.
“Schools are at the heart of our communities, and we know that for so many working parents— especially working moms —having a safe, high-quality school environment is essential,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula. “The improvements we’re celebrating help provide just that: a welcoming, modern space where students can thrive, and where families can feel confident that their children are learning in an environment designed for success.”
A Leader in Me school, Franklin Elementary has served the Kensington community for 102 years, first opening its doors in 1903. It currently offers courses in STEAM, arts, and music enrichment, and extended day programs, such as the YMCA Character Builders, and SAY San Diego’s PrimeTime. As a future “Garden-to-Cafe” school, students will plant and harvest a variety of vegetables and serve them.
Funding for the Whole Site Modernization is made available through Propositions S & Z, and Measure YY, local school bond measures approved by San Diego voters to improve San Diego Unified schools. The City of San Diego also contributed to a pair of stop signs at the corner of Copeland and Monroe Avenues to improve pedestrian safety.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a community that makes them feel love and supported. The modernization is an investment in our children, our educators, and our community. By providing state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and critical safety upgrades, we are ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn and thrive in a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. "These improvements reflect a commitment to fostering educational excellence and equity for all San Diego students.”
To read other recent bond program stories, please visit: https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/newscenter/school_bond_program.
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