The South Campus

In October 2023, we broke ground on the South Campus—an eight-acre parcel of land directly across from the school’s gatehouse. With the restoration of four buildings—three of them historic—and the development of the property, the school is poised to open the campus in the fall of 2025.

 

 

Welcome Center
Render of the South Campus Welcome Center
Collaboration Center
Render of the South Campus Collaboration Center
STEM Center
Render of the South Campus STEM Center
Outdoor Education

 

 

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1,355

gifts

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$26.4

millions raised

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713

donors

South Campus Spotlight

  • 25,000 square feet of STEM classroom space and maker labs
  • Eight acres of lightly developed property with open spaces to facilitate extensive outdoor learning opportunities
  • >New Welcome Center to greet students, parents, and visitors to the school
  • Collaboration Center for school-centered gatherings
  • Huddle rooms for collaboration, project prototyping, and small group work space
  • Commons area to serve as a central gathering space
  • Two-lane Loop Driveway to remove drop-offs and pick-ups off Lincoln Avenue, easing neighborhood congestion
  • New turn signal and coordinated pedestrian crossings to address safety concerns
  • Slow increase in student enrollment over a 20-year period, enabling nearly 100 new student scholarships

Project Highlights and Updates

Becoming a Reality: The South Campus Begins to Take Shape

The South Campus project is progressing swiftly. Historic buildings are near completion with restored roofs, windows, and plasterwork underway. Site features like the Loop Driveway, parking, landscaping, and traffic upgrades are advancing steadily, bringing the campus vision to life.

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Breaking Ground on the South Campus

Last fall—in October 2023—after more than ten years of planning, Head-Royce School broke ground on the South Campus. And in the months since, the progress has been rapid and remarkable.

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Oakland City Council Approves South Campus Plan Allowing the School to Finally Break Ground

On September 19, 2023, the Oakland City Council unanimously approved the South Campus Plan. Key phases include easing traffic congestion with a Loop Driveway, restoring historic buildings, adding STEM spaces, and creating outdoor learning areas. Future phases feature a Performing Arts Center and enrollment growth, fostering access for students from all backgrounds.

Read More about Oakland City Council Approves South Campus Plan Allowing the School to Finally Break Ground
South Campus Plan Receives Unanimous Support from the Landmarks Board and Planning Commission – City Council Appeal Pending

In April 2023, the South Campus Plan received unanimous approval from Oakland’s Planning Commission, later facing an appeal. The project reduces Lincoln Avenue traffic with a loop driveway, surpasses wildfire safety standards, creates local jobs, and transforms the land into a modern learning space.

Read More about South Campus Plan Receives Unanimous Support from the Landmarks Board and Planning Commission – City Council Appeal Pending
City of Oakland Releases South Campus FEIR

The City of Oakland’s Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) confirms impacts will be “less than significant” with mitigation. The project updates buildings, improves traffic, and boosts wildfire safety while expanding enrollment for 350 students annually.

Read More about City of Oakland Releases South Campus FEIR

Your Impact in Action

Class of 1975 at 2021 Alumni Reunion

“Following a joyful reconnection at our 45th reunion, the Class of 1975 came together during the Framing Our Future campaign for the South Campus to embark on a mini-campaign in honor of our former beloved teacher-mentors—including Georgiana Abel, Ann Bateman, Damon Bradley, Beverly Edmonds, Sue Eggling, June Kroll, David Leinbach, Jean Lemmon, Ferne McCuen, Virginia Steele, Louise (Bunny) Stevens, and Tom Welsh. We have grown to become who we are today because of their passion, generosity, dedication, loyalty, patience, and friendship. Our class South Campus fundraising project was a collaborative journey—exchanging memories, thoughts, creative concepts, conversations, reminiscences, and certainly some good laughter! It is rewarding to have helped launch a journey toward a promising new era for Head-Royce.”

 

 

Project Resources and FAQs