Compton Unified Breaks Ground on New Centennial High School
Media Release
Compton Unified School District celebrated the historic groundbreaking of the new $270-million Centennial High School with a powerful ceremony attended by notable celebrities Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, Kendrick Lamar, and will.i.am, marking a powerful step forward in the district’s unwavering commitment to reimagining education and expanding opportunity for every student.
CUSD Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley, CUSD Board Members Sandra Moss, Alma Taylor Pleasant, Denzell Perry, Dr. Ayanna Davis, Satra Zurita, will.i.am, Board VP Michael Hooper, Kendrick Lamar, CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali, and Dr. Dre
More than 300 community members and nearly 900 scholars gathered on the Centennial High School football field for the highly anticipated ceremony, joined by District leadership, the Board of Trustees, staff, families, local dignitaries, education leaders, project partners, and celebrity special guests. The energy on campus reflected a community united around a shared vision for excellence, equity, and the future of Compton’s youth.
Dr. Dre
Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees President Micah Ali, who presided as Master of Ceremonies, underscored the magnitude of the moment and its lasting impact on the city. “The realization of the new Centennial High School stands as a profound testament to our collective resolve—an architectural and educational renaissance that not only complements the recent historic investment in Compton High School, but also redefines the trajectory of opportunity, innovation, and generational advancement within the City of Compton.”
Kendrick Lamar talks to CUSD Board Member Alma Taylor Pleasant
Superintendent Darin Brawley emphasized the project as a cornerstone of the district’s mission to drive student achievement and deliver world-class learning environments. “The rebuilding of Centennial High School is a bold reaffirmation of Compton Unified’s mission to accelerate student achievement and eliminate opportunity gaps. This project represents a strategic investment in creating modern, high-quality learning environments where instructional coherence, rigorous coursework, and real-time data come together to drive results. Every classroom and pathway will be intentionally designed to expand access to advanced academics, career technical education, and post-secondary opportunities that lead to living-wage careers. More than a construction effort, this is a commitment to continuity, high expectations, and outcomes over rhetoric, ensuring that every Centennial student is prepared to thrive, compete, and succeed at the highest levels.”
CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali
The program featured remarks from all members of the Board of Trustees, as well as Centennial High School Principals Dr. Bobby Walker and Principal Rebecca Perez, alongside powerful student voices from Centennial scholars who shared their hopes for the future of their school.
CUSD Board VP Michael Hooper
Adding to the sense of pride and celebration, the Centennial High School Marching Band delivered a spirited performance of several songs, bringing energy, tradition, and pageantry to the ceremony and elevating the moment with true pomp and circumstance.
CUSD Board Member Dr. Ayanna Davis
Designed by DLR Group, the 220,000-SF campus will rise on the historic 32-acre site, replacing the original school that opened in 1954. When it welcomes its first cohort of scholars in August 2029, the new Centennial High School will serve more than 1,800 students and 135 staff with a bold, modern design that honors the school’s legacy while advancing a future-focused vision for education.
will.i.am, CUSD Board of Trustees VP Michael Hooper, Kendrick Lamar, CUSD Board of Trustees President Micah Ali, and Dr. Dre
The reimagined campus features a 42,000-SF performing arts center, collegiate-level athletics facilities, a new CIF competition pool, and flexible, future-ready learning environments. Career technical education spaces are integrated throughout, supporting pathways that prepare students for success beyond graduation. Sustainable design strategies, including maximizing daylight, optimizing solar energy collection, water-efficient systems, and native landscaping, reflect the district’s commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term value for the community.
CUSD Board Member Denzell Perry
Through ongoing engagement with students, families, and local leaders, the design process for Centennial High School has been shaped by a shared vision: to create a campus that stands as a true community asset, supports the aspirations of future generations, and delivers measurable outcomes for Compton’s scholars and neighborhoods.
CUSD Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley
This project builds upon the district’s continued momentum following the opening of the new Compton High School campus in 2025 and represents another major milestone in Compton Unified’s long-term strategic facilities master plan. Designed in partnership with DLR Group and shaped through extensive community engagement, the new campus reflects the aspirations, pride, and limitless potential of the Compton community.
will.i.am addresses Dr. Dre and the crowd.