Tamalpais High School Breaks Ground on $54 Million STEAM Complex

The Tamalpais Union High School District has officially commenced construction on a major educational project following the approval of a $289 million Measure B bond by voters in the November 2024 election. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new four-story, 24,000-square-foot STEAM complex at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley will take place on Monday. The facility, which will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, represents a significant investment in modernizing the district’s educational infrastructure.

District Superintendent Courtney Goode expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “This is an incredibly exciting time as we welcome students and staff back to school for a new year, and simultaneously get started on these Measure B projects.” The STEAM complex will serve to enhance educational opportunities, providing facilities that support the development of skills essential for future success.

Details of the STEAM Complex and Associated Facilities

The new STEAM complex is budgeted at approximately $54 million and will include several specialized areas designed for educational enrichment. According to Kevin Chapin of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, the project aims to transform the aging 117-year-old campus by providing dedicated spaces for arts, mathematics, and science studies. The main building will feature nine standard classrooms, two science classrooms with shared preparation areas, and a photography classroom with associated support spaces.

In addition to the STEAM complex, plans include a new 9,000-square-foot music building equipped with ensemble rooms for band and choir, a recording studio, practice rooms, and a music library. An elevated pedestrian walkway will connect this music facility to the main STEAM building, which will enhance campus accessibility and foster a cohesive learning environment.

The overall design also incorporates outdoor learning spaces, pedestrian walkways, a new student garden, and a covered gathering area. These features aim to energize the campus and improve connections to significant landmarks, including Mead Amphitheater and the nearby redwood grove.

Community Engagement and Future Plans

Construction is projected to be completed by August 2027, with Lathrop Construction Associates Inc. serving as the general contractor. This initiative is the first of several projects funded by Measure B, which is expected to facilitate substantial upgrades across various schools in the district. Next month, the district will also break ground on new fine arts and music buildings at Redwood High School in Larkspur.

The journey to this point has included extensive planning and community involvement. In 2021, the district initiated a 10-month community engagement process to update its facilities master plan, which received approval in the spring of 2022. Initial proposals for improvements were based on this plan and were intended to be funded by a more extensive $517 million Measure A bond, which did not achieve the required 55% voter approval during the March 5, 2024, election.

Following this setback, the district refined its strategy, resulting in the successful passage of Measure B with nearly 66% voter approval. Alongside the construction at Tamalpais High School, the bond will fund notable upgrades at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo, as well as improvements at Tamiscal and San Andreas high schools in Larkspur.

This new STEAM complex marks a pivotal development in the Tamalpais Union High School District’s commitment to providing quality education and fostering an environment conducive to innovation and creativity among its students.