A lot has changed with North Hollywood High School’s campus in the past year. From 2021 to 2025, here’s a look at everything that has happened so far and what the future holds for the NHHS campus!
The beginning: 2021
In 2021, NHHS began its long awaited modernization project. We learned that the estimated time of completion would be 2025 with a budget of $320 million at the time. When asked for an update on the budget, NHHS Vice Principal Mr. Chavez stated, “Last time they gave us a number, it was like 350 million, but that was probably a year ago…It could have gone up.”
This project was unlike anything t had done before incorporating new materials, a record-breaking budget, and standing as the largest modernization project in LAUSD history. Mr. Chavez mentioned “It is the biggest modernization project in the history of LAUSD…we are the biggest such project in ever, like Grant, which has a project, it was like 100 million. And we’re three times the cost of grant.”
In 2021, a new gym and building were completed, with their finishing dates six months apart. Construction seemed to be moving fast and by 2022 a good amount of progress could be seen.
Major Milestones: 2022
In 2022, students had a sneak peek at the new gym, locker rooms, exercise rooms, and a new building called the Colfax building, known by students as the C building. This year would mark the last year students would be in the old buildings: Kennedy and Fraser. Students and teachers were relocated to the new building and other available classrooms such as the bungalows, and Randolph, beginning in the 2023 school year.
That year the estimated completion date was pushed from 2025 to spring of 2026. While the buildings were near finished and visible to students, they weren’t officially revealed until 2023. Next year was something to look forward to as it not only brought new buildings but also new equipment!
Mr. Chavez excitedly tells “They are adding projectors to every room like in the C building, so Fraser and Kennedy will have the two projectors just like the C building. We’ll have the speakers in the ceiling and still have the updated AC units.”
Year of Change: 2023
2023 marked the year of change for the NHHS campus, as it truly felt different, from new buildings and classrooms to different parts of the school being blocked off, including the majority of the old campus like Kennedy and Fraser.
During this year we saw the demolition of not only the west gym but eventually the east gym too, with Fraser and Kennedy joining them in construction. But this project had some positives and some negatives. With new buildings came new equipment and better technology, but it also brought a feeling of congestion, leaving students to navigate and adapt around a new campus.
When asked if the foot traffic would get better as construction continues, Mr. Chavez says “The biggest advantage will be that it’s all gonna be one long kind of corner…so the flow of traffic is really open, whereas right now we’re all going the same road.”
Construction frustrated not just students but also teachers, who endured constant noise, dust, and debris.
Exciting Changes: 2024
Despite ongoing challenges, 2024 brought something new and exciting. Early in the year, construction of the tennis courts began, and by mid year, students were thrilled to see the completed courts alongside the new gym. As summer break approached, anticipation for the next phase of the project grew.
Late 2024 was when progress started to become noticeable, especially on what seems to be the new auditorium! The structure of not only a new building but the construction gates being moved in giving more space for walkways made for an exciting start to the year.
2024 seemed to be a slow year with the most significant change being the closure and reconstruction of the magnolia parking lot. Because of this, teachers were forced to arrive at school earlier to get parking on campus and if they were the unlucky ones, they were forced to park nearby and be shuttled to the school campus.
This caused a lot of frustration and annoyance among teachers. Mr. Chavez stated “I think, starting the last two weeks, they are less happy, because we took a big parking lot…70 parking spaces were moved off campus as of January 6th.” He also adds “if you asked them in December, they’d been happy, you ask them now, they are not as happy…people are getting to work earlier or they’re having to make kind of plans with their families to be dropped off.”
But behind the scenes a lot is happening and fast. The future for the NHHS campus seemed to be exciting. By the 2025-2026 school year a lot will change with the campus. When asked if he was expecting a lot of change over the summer Mr. Chavez excitedly shares “We’re expecting a really big change. We’re expecting to move into Kennedy and Fraser.”
What’s Next: 2025-2026 and Beyond
In the next school year, NHHS will reveal the modernized Kennedy and Fraser buildings, along with a new and improved quad. The auditorium is also expected to open in the near future. With the campus’ estimated date of completion to be March of 2026.
Mr. Chavez says confidently “The estimated [time of completion] is supposed to be around March of 2026…So the idea would be that it would be done by March 2026, everything in its completion. Do I think it will be done? Nothing’s ever been done on time. But based on the fact that we’re only like 14 months from competition, and they’re still giving me the same timelines, then that makes me feel good. “
He continues “…when the gym was late, they started us that a year in advance, it’s gonna be late. They didn’t just tell us it yet. We’re 14 months from completion, and they’re still telling us it’s gonna be done in 14 months or less than 14 months. So I would think by now they would have known if it’s gonna be delayed and they’re not telling us that it is.”
The 2025-2026 school year promises excitement and new opportunities. With a fully modernized campus, Huskies have a lot to look forward to.
So what does the future hold for the NHHS campus? Well not only new buildings, classrooms, a new and improved quad and auditorium, but also the opening of the majority of the old campus including the cafeteria means the campus is close to done. But that’s not all! For the Huskie athletes a new softball/baseball field as well as a new and improved/redone football plus track and field area are in the near future.
Mr. Chavez states “after we move into the building, they’re gonna demo and get rid of all this stuff in the back. They are going to build the softball and baseball field, right. So baseball, softball fields will be near the AG (agricultural) area, then the auditorium.” and “The only thing that will exist sort of untouched would be the cafeteria and the football field. But then those will be modernized after too.”
A New Era for NHHS
Teachers also have something to look forward to as they not only get new classrooms and materials but also a new and private parking lot. Mr. Chavez says “…they’re gonna redo the parking lot, so…we don’t have to walk through them…it’s a gated parking lot for staff only. The only time we would need to go beyond these buildings is to go either the AG (agricultural) area or the gym, so we would walk around the parking lot no more walking through the parking lot.”
For current students, construction may have been a challenge, but for future huskies, it will create endless opportunities. With a fully modernized campus, NHHS is setting the stage for a new era of learning, growth, and school pride. Are you ready to be part of history, Huskies?
As we look ahead, the countdown to completion continues. Soon, students, staff, and the community will witness the results of years worth of construction and change. The best is yet to come!
While challenges still remain, the excitement for what’s to come is undeniable. So, Huskies, get ready—the future of NHHS is almost here, bringing a new campus built for generations to come!
