Officials Mark $24-Million School Expansion

City officials from throughout the southwestern San Gabriel Valley met Thursday to celebrate a $24-million expansion of Alhambra’s San Gabriel High School, a fitting testament to a building project that was designed to bring the school’s sprawling population closer together.

With a student body that hails from Rosemead, San Gabriel and Alhambra, the population of San Gabriel High was getting too big for the 42-year-old facility, and resources were scattered throughout the campus, said school official Gerri Arnold.

One assistant principal had operated out of a trailer, students studied in portable classrooms and most teachers wrote their lessons on worn blackboards.

The 53 new classrooms boast white boards and greater storage space. The entire administration is housed in one building.

“It is great to see what you can do with [54] acres,” said Alhambra school board member Dora Padilla. “This really is a a prototype for the school of the future.”

After two years of construction, students and faculty members began moving into their new digs in November. “It’s a wonderful place to be,” said Principal Linda Maryott, commenting on her new office. “Coming to work today is like walking into a mini-palace.”