James Campbell High School (JCHS) kicks off the start of construction on its new 27-classroom building today with a dedication ceremony. The site will be the future home of the school's newest 21st century learning environment, including general education classes, five science labs, a culinary arts lab and herb garden, Hawaiian studies classroom, two faculty centers, an outdoor performing space as well as additional meeting spaces and offices.

"Campbell High has the largest student enrollment in the state. This is our first step in relieving the overcrowding issue," said Assistant Superintendent Dann Carlson, Office of School Facilities and Support Services. "This campus has undergone a lot of heat abatement work and we're happy to begin construction for a state-of-the-art, sustainable classroom building that is designed to be energy efficient. We've been working on securing this project for many years now and it is much needed to better serve students."

Cost for this project is $41 million. It will feature a series of five different structures connected together to create additional learning environments for students and teachers. Completion is expected in Spring 2020.

"There are so many people that came together to make sure this building could happen," said Campbell High Principal Jon Henry Lee. "It's a lot of work, whether it's been our lawmakers, who've come through with that crucial funding – and it is an expensive project – to those people who've pushed forward for our students and teachers. This can be an important next chapter at Campbell High School."

Lee says that the classrooms will foster a lot of engagement and house an assortment of interesting school programs, including its culinary program and Hawaiian Studies – focusing on both Hawaiian language and Hawaiian dance.

"Our culinary program is a popular program that has been blossoming," says Lee. "We've been entering competitions and our students are doing very well. We also offer a fine dining experience, but I think more importantly, it's about preparing our students for college and career readiness."

The Hawaii State Department of Education has made significant upgrades to lower temperatures in many of the classrooms at Campbell. The completed and ongoing improvements include installation of tinted windows, air conditioning, nighttime heat flushing fans, ceiling fans, solar AC and battery units for the portable classrooms, fan installation in the cafeteria and an awning installation over O Building's courtyard.

JCHS will undergo additional facility renovations and construction, including restroom renovations in O and D buildings. 

Campbell High is located 25 miles west of Honolulu in West Oahu. As the largest high school in the state of Hawaii, JCHS serves more than 3,000 students in grades 9-12. 

Pictured above (from left): Kahu Kordell Kekoa, G70 Designer Shirley Lum, HIDOE Assistant Superintendent Dann Carlson, Swinerton Builders Operations Manager Gary Moura, Campbell High Principal Jon Henry Lee, Swinerton Builders Project Manager Deanna Benevedes, Campbell High Vice Principal Shayne Greenland and HIDOE Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area Superintendent Heidi Armstrong help to kick off the start of construction on Campbell High's new classroom project.