Chaminade College Preparatory celebrated the culmination of its middle school campus transformation project today with a special ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony recognizing the final phase of improvements, including new STEM learning spaces.
The broader campus transformation project began in the summer of 2025 and included a redesigned campus courtyard entry, updated parking and traffic flow improvements, enhanced pedestrian safety features, refreshed landscaping and lighting, and a more welcoming and unified arrival experience for students, families, and visitors. As part of the project, the middle school administration offices were relocated to Chaminade Hall, which now serves as the primary entrance to the middle school campus. The new science and STEAM labs represent the final phase of the project, transforming the former middle school administration offices into two new instructional spaces designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, exploration, and hands-on problem-solving.
The campus transformation was made possible through the generosity of donors who supported Chaminade’s Soaring to New Heights capital campaign, chaired by Kim Ulrich and Jay Leupp, with significant contributions from The Ahmanson Foundation and the Piekunka and Rach families.
While construction of the labs is complete, furnishings, specialized equipment, and instructional tools will continue to be added throughout the summer, with the space fully completed in time for the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
Additionally, Chaminade’s 2026 EagleFest Fund-A-Need campaign will support STEM programs at both the middle and high school levels by investing in advanced science equipment, maker-based tools, technology resources, and hands-on learning materials for coding, engineering, design thinking, and scientific exploration.
This project reflects the impact of a philanthropic community coming together in support of Chaminade’s mission and its students.
The development of the new middle school STEM labs also aligns closely with Chaminade’s 2026-2032 strategic plan, Rooted in Mission, Inspired for Tomorrow, particularly the mission priority to “Advance Curriculum and Co-Curricular Innovation.”
The strategic plan calls on the school to expand opportunities that explore the intersections of science, technology, arts, and humanities; integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into teaching and learning; and broaden project-based learning experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world challenges.
“These new learning spaces will give our students exciting new opportunities to learn, explore, and create,” said President Robert S. Webb. “We are deeply grateful to the many members of our Chaminade family whose generosity helped bring this vision to life.”
The new STEM facilities will expand hands-on learning opportunities for middle school students while supporting Chaminade’s growing innovation initiatives. The spaces also help create a more seamless learning experience by strengthening alignment between middle school STEM learning and the innovation opportunities available at the high school level.
Today’s ribbon cutting celebrated more than renovated spaces. It reflected Chaminade’s continued investment in learning environments that inspire creativity and collaboration while creating a safer and more welcoming experience for students and families.