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.
1,355
gifts
$26.4
millions raised
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your Impact in Action
“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
- What is the timeline of the project?
- How will traffic and parking be affected?
- How will the current campus operations be affected?
- How will the South Campus enhance Head-Royce’s academic offerings?
- Will tuition and financial aid be affected by the cost of the project?
- How will student enrollment and class size be affected?
- How have neighbors been involved in the process?
- What changes will be most visible to neighbors?
- Will the project obstruct neighbor’s views?
- Will there be any intrusive nighttime outdoor lighting?
- What will you do to prevent neighbors from being impacted by the excessive noise?
- How will the Oakland community benefit from the project?
- What kind of wildfire mitigation measures will the South Campus expansion incorporate?
- Is it too late to donate to the project?
- Who should I contact with questions about the South Campus?