Construction begins on two south Sacramento schools

California Construction News staff writer

The Sacramento City Unified School District recently broke ground on its first new school in almost 20 years.

When completed in fall 2025, the new Nicholas Elementary campus will feature an oversized multipurpose room, a STEAM lab, a community room, several shade canopies, a U14 soccer field, and an overall focus on energy efficiency and environmental conservation.

“This is a day of celebration and pride for the Sacramento City Unified School District and it marks the culmination of years of strategic planning and community collaboration, beginning with the passage of Measure H in March of 2020.” said Jorge A. Aguilar, superintendent, SCUSD. “Thank you to the voters for their continued support of Sacramento City Unified as we continue to work equitably to lift, inspire, and transform our community.”

The age, location and demographics of the schools were all key factors in the district’s decision to build a new campus. Nicholas Elementary was first built over 60 years ago (1958). The new Nicholas Elementary campus will be an asset to the entire surrounding community.

This is the second of three campus rebuilds that will begin this year. A similar groundbreaking was held June 5 at Edward Kemble/Cesar Chavez, and another will take place at Oak Ridge Elementary in September. Sites were chosen for improvements based on high segregation and poverty indicators and other factors identified by Sac City Unified’s award-winning Facilities Master Plan Equity Index that can be found at www.scusdplan.org.

“Sac City Unified is committed to providing opportunities that help all students to grow and reach their full potential,” said Jamee Villa, SCUSD Board of Education Member. “Our school facilities have a lot to do with how our students learn. The construction of a beautiful new Nicholas Elementary campus is an investment in the future leaders of Sacramento.”

The beginning of construction is the culmination of years of strategic planning and community collaboration, beginning with the passage of Measure H  in March 2020. The $750 million general obligation bond provided Sac City Unified with the funding to begin making some of the estimated $4.4 billion in facilities needs identified across the district.