Welcome back, Huskies! As we kick off the 2025-26 school year, we’re greeted with newly modernized buildings that make our campus feel both familiar yet refreshingly different. Upperclassmen have especially noticed the changes, some long-closed areas have finally reopened, while new sections are now blocked off. Each update brings North Hollywood High School one step closer to the end of construction, but also creates a new set of challenges for students to adjust to.
Beginning in 2020, NHHS had launched its long-awaited modernization project. What started with a budget of around $200 million has now climbed to about $350 million, and the cost continues to rise as construction moves forward. This scale of a project is unlike anything LAUSD has taken on, making it the largest modernization effort in district history. Progress seemed to move quickly, with students getting a sneak peak into the new gym, locker rooms, aerobics and weight rooms, and the new Colfax Building by 2022.
In 2023, main buildings like Kennedy and Fraser were quickly closed off for construction, while the new gym, C-building, and workout rooms had opened for student use. These updates brought exciting changes to campus life, but they also created heavy foot traffic that many students quickly grew to dread. As well, it forced teachers to relocate to temporary bungalows and the Randolph building. On top of that, the constant drilling and pounding of construction became a daily burden for everyone on campus, especially those located in Randolph, which sat closest to the work site.
As for 2024, construction seemed to slow down, and students were left patiently waiting for new areas to reopen. Still, progress was visible in certain spots, including work on the auditorium and staff parking lot, which caused chaos when it closed. On a brighter note, the new tennis courts had been completed, giving tennis student-athletes a place to host home games and providing P.E. classes with a fresh area to play.
Jumping into 2025, students have been reintroduced to the newly modernized Kennedy and Frasher buildings. The buildings feature noticeable upgrades, including a bridge connecting Kennedy to the C-building for easier movement between classes, along with a similar bridge linking the end of Kennedy to Fraser. This reopening also unlocked a popular hangout spot for students: the quad. Additionally, the cafeteria has reopened after temporarily serving as the home of the former College Center.
Even though the campus feels much larger and more welcoming with the new buildings, the changes have introduced some challenges. Students often have to walk through the tennis courts just to reach the Agricultural area for Animal Science or Environmental classes. Music programs—including marching band, colorguard, guitar, theater, and orchestra—are trucked all the way in the back, hidden behind ongoing construction, making access tricky.
The new buildings, including C-building, offer plenty of lockers for students, but many haven’t seemed to work properly or haven’t been fixed since before pre-registration. While the larger campus provides more comfortable spacing and less foot traffic, it has also exposed a shortage of campus aids and security, limiting bathroom access for students. Currently, only one bathroom [one boys and one girls] is available downstairs Kennedy and C-building. On top of that, inconsistent internet coverage leaves many areas without service, creating yet another challenge for day-to-day student life.
Students, especially seniors have expressed their gratitude for the new campus being accessible to them, but are in hopes to make it more comfortable–catering to their daily needs.
