Lynwood Unified School District marked a major construction milestone on Jan. 26 with a Beam Signing and Topping Off Celebration at the Lynwood High School Imperial Campus, commemorating the placement of a ceremonial last steel beam on the new three-story classroom building scheduled to open in Fall 2027.

The ceremony highlighted steady progress on the district’s $250 million, state-funded reconstruction project, which will pave the way for a 156,384-square-foot, state-of-the-art learning facility when the campus reopens. Students, staff, community members and district leaders signed the ceremonial beam before it was lifted into place by a crane — symbolizing shared pride, resilience and investment in Lynwood’s future.

“As we raise this beam, we are building more than a campus — we are building opportunity,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul said. “This project reflects our commitment to building modern, hands-on learning spaces that foster creativity, academic excellence, and career readiness for generations of Lynwood scholars.”

The Imperial Campus was closed in summer 2020 when structural failures were identified, prompting the district to relocate students while pursuing a long-term solution. In response, the Lynwood Unified Board of Education successfully secured vital funding from the state Legislature to support a comprehensive revitalization of the campus.

The district worked extensively behind the scenes to navigate state approvals, prequalify contractors, and partner with experienced design and construction teams to bring the project to fruition. Following a demolition ceremony in November 2023, site preparation continued through 2024, leading to the project’s groundbreaking in December 2024.

Construction to date has included deep soil mixing, underground utility installation, foundation work, and the start of a kiln building for future art and ceramics instruction. With the steel structure now complete, construction will move into the next phase of enclosing the building and developing interior learning spaces.

Once complete, the facility will house 69 classrooms and specialized learning spaces, including a culinary arts kitchen, advanced medical training labs, dedicated art rooms and refreshed interior design developed with community feedback.