Below are a few updates regarding school facility projects, illustrating Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s continued commitment to providing enhanced environments for students to continue to thrive. 

DISTRICTWIDE

Facility Master Plan

We are in the process of developing a Facility Master Plan that will identify the district's long-term maintenance and facility needs to continue to provide facilities that support our quality educational programs. It is intended to guide our district in the planning of ongoing facility maintenance, such as flooring, paint, roofs and long-term capital improvement projects throughout the district. 

The plan is developed in collaboration with facility experts, school and district leadership, and students, and consideration of community input.

What are your school facility priorities? Take our survey. 

There will be opportunities to provide feedback on the Facility Master Plan once it is finalized in early 2024. 

VARIOUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Multipurpose Room Upgrades

It is anticipated that upgrades to elementary school multipurpose rooms (MPR) will begin in the summer of 2024, with the installation of new audio-visual equipment and large ceiling fans for air circulation. A prioritized list of schools is expected to be available in the spring with the goal of every school MPR being upgraded by the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Playgrounds

A phased approach to the replacement of elementary school playgrounds is expected to begin in summer 2024. This will include new playground equipment and shade structures, as well as the replacement of wood chips with rubberized flooring or artificial turf.

The following schools are anticipated to get new playgrounds in summer 2024, with additional schools to be scheduled in a phased approach through 2026: Rea, California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, Newport Heights and Victoria Elementary Schools.

Shade Structures

A phased approach to installing permanent shade structures at elementary schools is expected to begin in summer 2024. Shade structures will be placed in lunch areas.

The following schools are anticipated to get shade structures in summer 2024, with additional schools to be scheduled in a phased approach through 2026: Rea, California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, Newport Heights and Victoria Elementary Schools.

In the meantime, temporary shade structures are being placed at elementary school lunch tables and playgrounds. 

Relocatable Classrooms (Various Schools)

Relocatable classrooms will be added to the following schools in summer 2024 to accommodate expanded transitional kindergarten programs for the 2024-25 school year: California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, Newport Heights and Victoria Elementary Schools.

CORONA DEL MAR MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

Varsity Baseball Scoreboard

It is anticipated that the varsity baseball scoreboard at Corona del Mar Middle/High School will be replaced in spring 2024. The project’s design has received approval from the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and is anticipated to be publicly bid in winter 2024.

Aquatics Scoreboard & Lighting

Design for the replacement of the aquatics scoreboard is currently in early design and is anticipated to be replaced by fall 2024. 

EASTBLUFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - MULTIPURPOSE ROOM REFRESH

Co-funded by the Eastbluff PTA and the district, the first phase of this project is complete with a newly expanded stage and installation of tack boards and a permanent hand railing. The second phase of the project will include new audio-visual equipment, painting the interior, new flooring and new window coverings. The second phase is anticipated to begin in early 2024 and be completed by summer 2024.

To better support performances and a variety of school events, the district is developing a districtwide audio-visual standard for multipurpose rooms. Eastbluff Elementary will be the first school to pilot the system, which is anticipated to be installed at every elementary school districtwide.

ENSIGN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Student Courtyard

Construction of an outdoor student courtyard at Ensign Intermediate School continues with concrete paving, and construction of concrete seat walls was recently completed. Construction crews continue to work on concrete and brick seat walls, underground utilities, and landscaping. The replacement of commemorative bricks, removed from a previous construction project, are anticipated to be placed in the new courtyard. The project is expected to be completed in early 2024. 

Gymnasium Upgrades

The Ensign Intermediate School gymnasium will be upgraded with new bleachers and an improved mechanical ventilation system. The project is expected to be completed during the 2024-25 school year.

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL

Theater

Construction of the 350-seat theater at Estancia High School continues with grading, utility work and building of the foundation system currently in progress. 

The two-story theater includes a black box, lobby, box office, front-of-house support services, dressing rooms, scene shop, and costume and prop storage. The project also includes improvements to landscaping, walkways, plazas and the installation of ancillary fencing.

Construction is expected to be complete by the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Courtyard

Plans are underway to construct a student courtyard with shaded seating and landscaping in the concrete area where the former pool was located. A design was submitted for state approval in October, with a construction start date yet to be determined. 

Football Team Room and Weights Relocation 

Plans are underway to renovate the existing drama building to convert it into a new football team room, coaches’ offices, and indoor/outdoor weight area to better accommodate the needs of the school. The project is currently in the early design phase with a construction start date after completion of the construction of the new theater.  

NEWPORT COAST ELEMENTARY - FIELD ACCESS

This project adds an accessible ramp and stairs to the upper grass fields from the lower playground and is nearly complete with landscaping still in progress. Due to a partnership with the Newport Coast Elementary school foundation, construction also includes a concrete seating area and shade structures. 

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL

Varsity Baseball/Softball Field Renovations  

The renovation of the Newport Harbor High School varsity baseball and softball fields has been completed, which includes the replacement of grass, irrigation improvements, field regrading, sprinkler valve replacement, and replacement of chain-link fence with netting. Grass has been installed and is in its growth and maintenance period. During the maintenance period, the contractor will continue to abate weeds and overseed. It is anticipated that the fields will be ready for use when athletes return from winter break. We are also installing a new outfield windscreen and fencing cap (yellow cap) on the baseball field in the upcoming months.

Additional improvements, in a future phase, include the replacement of backstops for both fields, decorative windscreen fencing on the outfield fence, fencing along the solar panels, and landscaping along the parking-lot fence. 

Aquatics Complex

This project includes two phases, which will be combined to minimize downtime of the pool. The Division of the State Architect (DSA) approved the design for phase one, which includes shade structures, lighting and bleacher replacement. Phase two, which is currently in the design stage, includes a deeper pool, replacement of the pool deck, renovation of the pool building (which includes coaches’ offices, locker rooms and restrooms) and a new location for the scoreboard.

School and district staff will work collaboratively with the City of Newport Beach to relocate aquatic activities during construction, as the pool will not be available during that time. All efforts will be made to minimize pool closure timing and impact on aquatics programs.

This project is anticipated to begin in fall 2024, with completion in fall 2025. 

Culinary Renovation

The district is currently in the early planning stages to improve the culinary program kitchen and learning space. The project scope and timing are yet to be determined.

All-Access Restrooms

The boys' and girls' restrooms in the Home Arts Courtyard will be renovated and updated to include two single-stall restrooms. This will include new flooring, paint, fixtures, accessories and lighting. The project is currently in the early design phase, and the construction start date for this project has not been determined.

Additional projects, including sand volleyball courts at comprehensive high schools and Costa Mesa High School stadium expansion, are currently in the planning/design phase and will be included as part of the Facility Master Plan. A draft Facility Master Plan is anticipated to be completed in early 2024.