Students return to campus following Palisades Fire

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(The Center Square) – The Los Angeles Unified School District announced this week that students and staff are returning to the campus of Palisades Charter High School after a devastating year following the Palisades Fire in January 2025. 

Since the start of the 2025-26 school year, students used temporary facilities to attend classes while LAUSD sought to rebuild the damaged Palisades schools. Over 30% of the classrooms on campus were destroyed in the fire.

“We're very excited to see the enthusiasm and excitement for students and parents coming back to their home campus," Palisades Charter High School Principal Dr. Pamela Magee said.

A spokesperson for LA Unified told The Center Square that the Board of Education unanimously approved the funding to rebuild the three Pacific Palisades schools: Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School. 

The total cost was approximately $604 million, largely funded by the Measure US Facilities bond passed in November 2024.

Recovery efforts still continue with the permanent rebuilding, aimed for a 2028 completion, which will replace classroom buildings, restore athletic facilities and incorporate wildfire-resilient design features.

“Los Angeles Unified remains fully committed to rebuilding this campus and the two other district schools destroyed in the fire,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said. “While we celebrate the return of learning, connection and school spirit, we also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every affected school community is made whole again.”

Aside from its schools, the Palisades Fire heavily affected the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, near Malibu, but the area continues to rebuild. 

The Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres along coastal Los Angeles County, destroyed over 6,000 buildings and caused 12 deaths.