Slated to open in August, new campus will provide a learning-friendly, high-tech, and safe environment
On a gorgeous Malibu afternoon, many who gathered to enjoy a celebratory tour of the soon-to-be-completed sleek, modern, high-tech Malibu High School were those residents who have voluntarily served for years on committees tasked with planning all the details involved in creating a stellar campus offering inviting and practical learning spaces for Malibu’s next generations.
Carey Upton, chief operations officer of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, escorted attendees as they enjoyed a tour through the 60,000-square-foot building. He noted that NAC Architecture is working in collaboration with Koning Eizenberg Architecture on the project and C.W. Driver Companies is the contractor. The design for the new MHS received a prestigious award for excellence from the American Institute of Architects, California, in March 2024, he noted.
“The high school project is being completed earlier than we predicted as the students will be able to start attending school in September, instead of having to wait until mid-year.” Upton stated. “Further, we are on budget for the project as well.”
The new high school was constructed on the former Juan Cabrillo Elementary footprint, which was demolished in 2022. Innovative and impressive in design and expansive in size, the campus’ buildings boast natural materials, including weathered metals, glass, and natural timbers, all elements that were specifically selected for their design aesthetics as well as to provide students a welcoming, practical, and flexible learning environment. The new campus is as wildfire-resilient as possible and prioritizes campus safety, Upton emphasized.
“This part of the project, the new high school, is Phase 1 of the campus plan and is funded by Measure M, which was approved by the voters in 2018.” Upton explained, adding that construction for Phase 1 is estimated to cost $110 million. “Voters also approved Measure MM this past November which will fund Phase 2 of the Campus Improvement project, including constructing new middle school facilities, which should be ready in the fall of 2026.”
Upton stated that the middle school will have a new multipurpose room/gymnasium, outdoor eating area, and other educational support spaces. “Phase 2 will also include a space for special education, which will be ready in August 2028, and a new 40-meter outdoor pool, locker rooms and support areas, which is scheduled to be ready six months after that,” he said. “The project also includes adding on to the existing gym and construction of the new performing arts center which is tentatively scheduled for opening in 2029 or 2030.”
Open spaces, open minds
Those touring the school were most impressed by the modern classrooms, including science laboratory rooms and the open-concept library, areas that feature flexible wall systems that can be used to configure various learning environments.
“The school is designed to follow the Sycamore educational philosophy, which emphasizes student-led, project-based learning and therefore we have developed integrated learning areas utilizing the entire building as classrooms at times.” said Michael Burke, the project design manager for Massetti Consulting, LLC, the district’s contracted firm that specializes in conceptual project development, funding and financing strategies, and design professional procurement practices.
Further, Upton noted that the landscaping at the school will be wildfire-resilient and will include defensible spaces as recommended by the fire department to protect the school as much as possible.
“There will be a security perimeter for the students’ safety with a security gate and bullet resistant window film,” Upton said, adding that the landscape design preserved legacy trees in the school’s entrance area.
As the group toured, Eric Amber, a project design manager, smiled broadly and exclaimed, “I graduated from Malibu High School in 1996 — it’s so good to be back home and to be involved in this project!”
“The school is beautifully designed and very practical.” Lou LaMonte, former Malibu mayor and city councilmember, who noted that he has served on civic advisory committees charged with planning the school campus for several years. “It’s been a labor of love that took a long time — but look how wonderful it is!”
Measure M Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
After the tour, those serving on the Measure M Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee gathered at the high school for a meeting concerning final details to bring the school to scale as well as to deliberate about details concerning Phase 2 of the Malibu Campus Plan and the emergency power and solar farm, both of which are in the design phase.
“Power outages have plagued Malibu’s schools this past year which has resulted in lost school days, including Southern California Edison’s safety power shutoffs that can last one or more days and are often initiated due to wildfires or storms,” Upton explained, noting that school officials are working to ensure that there are generators in place to provide consistent power for continuity of school operations. “We hope to have the solar farm ready for operation by April 2026 to address power outage concerns, and we hope to be ready for the next set of safety power shutoffs in November 2026.”
Upton also provided an overview of the school district’s efforts to address school safety and security. “The City of Malibu has been working on ideas for safety and security in local schools,” he noted. “The council voted to provide a half-time campus security officer for Malibu’s public schools and, of course, the officers tasked to work on the juvenile intervention team are also on campus as well.”
In closing, Upton noted that the Malibu Education Foundation continues to provide donation and naming opportunities for the Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Theater.
The Malibu Times caught up with Karin Al Hardin, the Foundation’s founding executive director. “As community leaders and educators toured the new high school, the Malibu Education Foundation reminds residents that state-of-the-art facilities need strong staffing and programs to match,” Al Hardin said. “MEF funds essentials such as aides, tutors, arts, and athletics across all four Malibu public schools — and our organization is building long-term support through efforts like the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts.”
Al Hardin asked readers to please save Oct. 4 as the date of the MEF Gala at Malibu High. Malibuites can learn more or donate at malibueducationafoundation.org, where donors can designate the Van Dyke endowment for their donation.