Simon Sanchez High School Campus Breaks Ground After Long Wait

The long-awaited construction of a new Simon Sanchez High School campus in Yigo is officially underway. The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for March 4, 2024, marks a significant milestone for the school community, which has been advocating for a new facility for over a decade. This initiative will bring 87 classrooms, a new administration building, and a redesigned entrance, transforming the campus into a modern educational environment.

Community Celebration and Official Announcements

According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, the administration has transitioned from discussing plans to implementing them. “This has been a long time coming. The students of Simon Sanchez deserve a campus that reflects their spirit, talent, and potential. This groundbreaking is our promise turning into action,” stated Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

The project is now moving forward following a comprehensive evaluation that adhered to the stipulations of Public Law 37-22 and the MA KÅHAT Act. This assessment has cleared the way for the full demolition of the existing campus, which had been closed for health and safety reasons after the impact of Typhoon Mawar in 2023.

In addition to Governor Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “So many students, alumni, and their families have waited for this day, and it is rewarding to see this project finally moving from talk to transformation. This new Simon Sanchez campus represents opportunity, dignity, and the future our students deserve.”

Features of the New Campus

The construction, awarded to Core Tech International Corporation, will consist of three wings housing 87 classrooms designed for enhanced instruction, collaboration, and hands-on learning. The new campus layout will include a welcoming administration building and a main entrance that aims to foster a sense of pride among students.

Additional features will encompass a full-sized gymnasium, a spacious cafeteria, and a dedicated Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) classroom. A new auditorium will be built to support school performances and ceremonies, enriching the educational and cultural experience for students.

The project will also include significant site improvements, such as upgraded athletic facilities, open recreational spaces, and modern civil, electrical, telecom, and mechanical systems. Enhanced access roads and expanded parking facilities are also part of the comprehensive plan.

Previously, students of Simon Sanchez High School had been attending double sessions at the host campus, John F. Kennedy High School in Tamuning, limiting their learning experience. The new campus is designed to accommodate up to 2,000 students, a much-needed expansion for the growing population.

The groundbreaking event represents not only a physical transformation of the school but also a renewed commitment to providing quality education for the students of Yigo. As the community celebrates this pivotal moment, the focus now shifts to the construction phase, with hopes for a state-of-the-art facility that will serve future generations.