SMMUSD Announces Name Of New Facility In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved naming the new facility which will house Olympic High School, the new project-based learning pathway and other programs to the "Michelle and Barack Obama Center for Inquiry and Exploration" at a special board meeting on May 30 in Santa Monica, according to the SMMUSD press release.

The new Michelle and Barack Obama Center for Inquiry and Exploration is the name of the facility that will house Olympic High School, the new project-based learning pathway, the adult education school, Off Campus Learning Center and the future Capstone program, all under one roof at 721 Ocean Boulevard in Santa Monica — the current location of Olympic High School, the press release said.

“We are thrilled to name this facility after the Obamas to recognize their contributions to education and closing the achievement gap,” School Board President Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein said. “They inspired and continue to inspire new generations in the joy of learning and education. This naming reflects our values and the Obamas’ vision of inclusion, acceptance and innovation.”

The new project-based learning pathway begins this fall with 100 ninth grade students, and will continue to grow to 400 students in the next four years, the press release said. The campus' upgrades will be completed this summer, including: new floors, new windows, new doors and new ceilings along with painting. The library media center, computer lab, science lab, music lab and auditorium have also been renovated, and include "21st century technology and learning tools and equipment," SMMUSD said. New heating, air conditioning and ventilation have also been installed throughout campus.

Exterior areas, including landscaping and security systems, are all upgraded and new furniture is in all spaces, including classrooms, according to SMMUSD. All environmentally hazardous materials, such as lead, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls have also been removed from all buildings as part of the modernization project.