SDHS Whole School Modernization

San Diego High School Campus Modernization Project

Over the past decade, San Diego High School has embarked on a remarkable journey, marked by the collective efforts of students, alumni, and staff who united to advocate for a new lease with San Diego City Council. This pivotal moment has set the stage for a new chapter in the school's history, reflecting the determination and resilience of its community.

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City Council Preserves San Diego High School, Starts Another 100 Years of History

City Council approves 99-year lease to preserve San Diego High School (KPBS)

On May 3, 2022, a significant milestone was marked as staff, students, and the Caver community gathered in front of San Diego High School to bid farewell to the 100 Building, the first phase of the school's modernization project. 

Restoring San Diego High School: Major Modernizations Underway at Historic Campus

From the outset, the vision for the new student services and classroom facility  was to create an environment that exudes a collegiate atmosphere. Now, after four years of anticipation, the building has finally opened its doors, and it has certainly met expectations.

Monday, March 9, 2026 officially marked a new era for San Diego High School, as its striking modern façade now welcomes students, staff, and the community to an upgraded campus. With red scissors, royal blue ribbon, students, staff, our Caver community, and alumni, marked the ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication for the 144-year-old campus’s new student services and classroom facility. 

“I was here for the groundbreaking, and now  I’m seeing it complete for the first time,” said Aries Cole, SDHS alumnus. “It’s inspiring, and I hope that current and future students feel inspired enough by it to go to college to further their education.” 

Serving as the new secure campus entryway, the facility includes a lobby, student support spaces, modern classrooms, collaborative workspaces, a staff lounge, and enhanced security technology. 

“It’s night and day from our old building,” said SDHS Principal Franny Del Carmen. “This new façade is inviting, warm, and truly beautiful. Importantly, it provides students with a college-level facility with quality learning spaces. We also kept a lot of history inside the building, so we are acknowledging our rich history while moving into the future.” 

Historical items inside the new building include the historical wooden doors from the former “Grey Castle” building and many framed images of SDHS throughout the years. 

Opened in 1882, San Diego High School (SDHS) is a top-ranked International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme school. It takes pride in its rich history and alumni community, which includes former San Diego High teacher and the “Mother of Balboa Park,” Kate Sessions, and National Football League (NFL) player Art Powell, who graduated in the 1950s. 

Following a voter-approved ballot measure, the city renewed its 99-year lease in October 2021, and construction on the SDHS Whole Site Modernization began in early 2022. The project includes the new classroom and student services facility, a modernized lower and central campus quad, classroom renovations, and a new College, Career, and Technical Education Engineering Design Lab.

“San Diegans believe in investing in high-quality public schools in every neighborhood across our district,” said Board of Education President Richard Barrera. “Because of their efforts, this 144-year-old campus, which is intimately part of our city, will not only stay at its historic location, but will flourish for years to come.”