Add as a preferred source on Google

San Diego Unified School District Opens New Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 11/15/22

The San Diego Unified School District recently celebrated the grand opening of a new elementary school in Mission Valley, Calif. Nipaquay Elementary School, whose name translates to “Our Other Home,” is the result of extensive collaboration between the district and local community and is intended to honor the indigenous village that once stood nearby, according to a news release.

The grand opening ceremony drew Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson, District B Board of Education Trustee Kevin Beiser, students from Nipaquay Elementary and Kearny High School, and indigenous partners to celebrate the new school in conjunction with November Native American Heritage Month.

“We continue the tradition to recognize our indigenous staff and students year-round,” said Jackson. “For this 32nd annual November Native American Heritage Month, we acknowledge our diverse students and staff who make our school district and Nipaquay Elementary so unique.”

The campus’ first- through fifth-grade classrooms feature roll-up doors that open the room to the outside, allowing them to transition into outdoor learning spaces. A two-story entryway building will play home to student services, makerspaces, a library, a secure visitor check-in area, and professional development spaces. The campus also features amenities like dedicated play areas for Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK), kindergarten, and first- through fifth-graders.

The school is currently open to UTK through second-grade students and offers an academic focus on environmental science and STEAM subjects. The building’s sustainable design factors in solar power and energy efficiency, according to the news release. One new grade will be added to the school each year until it reaches fifth grade.

“Just like the name, ‘Nipaquay,’ I hope that this campus feels like a second home for the neighborhood and our students,” said Principal Michael Goodbody.

“One small step toward restorative justice, this name recognizes and celebrates the long history of indigenous peoples,” said Olympia Beltran, a representative of the San Diego Human Relations Commission and the Kanap Kuahan Coalition.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

  • South Texas K–12 District Debuts Region’s First Electric Bus Fleet

    The Valley View Independent School District in Pharr, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets to launch the district’s—and the region’s—first fleet of all-electric school buses, according to a news release.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

Digital Edition