LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Unified is pleased to announce the return of students and staff to the main campus of Palisades Charter High School today, marking a major milestone in the district’s recovery from the January 2025 Palisades wildfire.
“This is a proud and meaningful day for the Palisades community,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “The return to this campus did not happen by chance. It reflects extraordinary work, persistence and partnership by educators, school leaders, construction crews, safety experts and district staff who worked with urgency and care to bring students and staff home.”
Approximately 30 percent of classrooms on campus were destroyed in the fire.
Work completed to enable reopening included campus cleanup, environmental remediation, repairs to existing buildings, rigorous environmental testing and clearance, and the installation of interim classrooms. Final environmental and pre-occupancy requirements were completed earlier in the month, ensuring health and safety standards were fully met ahead of today’s safe return of the school community.
"I want to express my profound gratitude to all the members of the LAUSD family who worked with such dedication, professionalism and urgency to rebuild the schools that suffered damages as a result of wildfires in January of 2025,” Los Angeles Unified Board President Scott Schmerelson said. “The swift response and the commitment to open as soon as possible, required a level of coordination and collaboration that exemplifies the commitment of every member of our teams. We are beaming with pride, and we are so glad to see our students, our employees, our families and our communities, back in the safest place to learn: our LAUSD schools."
Board Member Nick Melvoin, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, was on site to greet students as they arrived on campus.
“We are thrilled to welcome students back to Pali’s home campus barely a year after the devastating wildfire that tore through this community and upended so many lives,” Melvoin said. “The urgency, accountability, and care that went, and will continue to go, into rebuilding our Palisades schools are matched only by the strength and resilience of the kids and families we serve, and I will be here every step of the way to support these ongoing recovery efforts.”
Dozens of parents and community members cheered in front of the school as students arrived, and the school band welcomed their peers to campus with uplifting music.
"Today, we're welcoming back our students for their first day back on campus since their last day in December over a year ago,” Palisades Charter High School Principal Dr. Pamela Magee said. “We're very excited to see the enthusiasm and excitement for students and parents coming back to their home campus."
While today marks a significant achievement, Carvalho emphasized that recovery efforts continue.
”Today is a celebration, but it is also a reminder of the work that remains to be completed, here and across the Palisades,” he said. “Los Angeles Unified remains fully committed to rebuilding this campus and the two other district schools destroyed in the fire. While we celebrate the return of learning, connection and school spirit, we also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every affected school community is made whole again — stronger, safer and ready for the future.”
The district’s overall recovery and rebuilding effort represents an estimated $604 million investment to cover all three Los Angeles Unified schools impacted by the Palisades fire: Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School. This investment includes debris removal, environmental remediation, interim classroom facilities and permanent reconstruction. Permanent rebuilding will replace classroom buildings, restore athletic facilities and incorporate wildfire-resilient design features to support long-term safety and continuity, with completion targeted for late 2028.
At the Board meeting today, the District recognized those who have supported fire recovery efforts.
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About Los Angeles Unified
Second largest in the nation, the Los Angeles Unified School District serves nearly 550,000 students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade to early and adult education. The District provides students with access to a robust curriculum to ensure all students are Ready for the World – to thrive in college, career and life. To learn more about Los Angeles Unified, visit www.lausd.org.
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This story was updated Jan 28 at 8:45am