Sowers Middle School Principal Jeff Smith poses with students who volunteered to welcome guests during Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting event in Huntington Beach. (Photos courtesy of the Huntington Beach City School District) 
Students welcome guests into the new gym at Sowers Middle School on Wednesday, handing out event programs and school swag. 
The Sowers Middle School band performs inside the school’s new gymnasium on Wednesday as part of the ribbon-cutting celebration. 
District and school staff, along with invited guests, cut the ribbon to mark the completion of Phase 2 of the Sowers Middle School reconstruction project on Wednesday in Huntington Beach. 
The main entrance of Sowers Middle School features new fencing and signage, including the school’s name above a newly constructed archway. 
An exterior view of the new gymnasium at Sowers Middle School in Huntington Beach, completed as part of the campus reconstruction project. 
A look inside the new Sowers Middle School gymnasium before guests arrived for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday in Huntington Beach. 
A wide view of the upgraded outdoor area at Sowers Middle School shows newly paved hardscape sport courts and the recently completed gymnasium structure in Huntington Beach on Wednesday.
The Huntington Beach City School District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 4 to celebrate the completion of the Phase 2 Reconstruction Project at Sowers Middle School, which adds a state-of-the-art gymnasium, expanded outdoor facilities and enhanced campus safety features.
District officials, staff, community members and construction partners gathered at the campus to mark the unveiling of several new amenities, including a 53,164-square-foot gym that doubles as a multipurpose space with a stage and audio-visual equipment. Also featured are new hardscape sport court areas, a strategically positioned locker room building, improved parking, and safer pedestrian and bike access points.
“This milestone represents more than the completion of a construction project — it reflects our community’s shared commitment to continually improving the student experience,” Superintendent Dr. Leisa Winston said. “I’m proud of how we’ve brought this vision to life, from modern learning spaces to enhanced facilities that support the daily rhythms of school life.”
The event, which was also covered by the Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot, highlighted several new features of the outdoor campus. These include upgraded ball walls, basketball courts, pickleball and volleyball courts, along with expanded student gathering spaces between the gym and the Viking Union. These areas also serve as emergency access routes.
“At HBCSD, we are committed to supporting the whole child — academically, physically and emotionally,” said Director of Operations Mark Manstof. “Phase 1 of the Sowers modernization focused on creating dynamic, future-ready classroom spaces to foster academic growth. With Phase 2, we’ve expanded that vision by investing in facilities that promote physical wellness.”
According to the district, Sowers Middle School was originally built in 1964 and underwent extensive planning and preparation before reconstruction began in 2022. The site’s underlying soil was found to be prone to liquefaction, prompting the need for specialized mitigation efforts, including the installation of 120 structural piles to reinforce the foundation. Funding for the project included proceeds from the Measure Q facilities bond and the sale of the former Gisler Elementary site.
District leaders say the upgraded infrastructure not only enhances learning and recreation opportunities but also improves traffic circulation and reduces impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. The final elements of the campus project are scheduled for completion later this year.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- Westminster High School senior Timmy Tran, a QuestBridge Scholar with a 4.5 GPA and numerous extracurriculars, has been accepted to 17 colleges and will attend Harvard University this fall to study economics and history.
- Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean joined Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Michael Matsuda on the Future Talks podcast to discuss OCDE’s role, challenges facing education and the goals of the department’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan.
- In a new EdSource column, Dr. Bean and Butte County Superintendent Dr. Mary Sakuma highlight the positive impact of California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support and call for expanding the framework to strengthen student outcomes statewide.
- Amid rising concerns over youth misuse of high-capacity nitrous oxide products sold with minimal age restrictions, health officials and educators are warning families about serious risks that include nerve damage, injury and, in rare cases, death.
- Eighth-grade students from Nicolas Junior High in the Fullerton School District have completed a second tiny home to support local families experiencing homelessness, with plans underway to expand the hands-on program through a new construction academy.
- Vanguard University will host its first Disability Symposium on June 25, offering educators, families and community members sessions on inclusive practices, trauma-responsive strategies and faith-based inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
- Fifty-one seniors from Newport-Mesa Unified’s Early College High School graduated on May 29 with an average of 44 college units completed, multiple scholarships awarded, and a majority planning to continue their education at two- or four-year colleges.
- Ten student projects from Orange County are advancing to the National History Day finals in Maryland next week after earning top honors at California’s state-level contest.
- Some Orange County high schools, including Los Alamitos High, have moved away from naming a single valedictorian, opting instead to recognize multiple top-performing students based on GPA to reflect academic excellence in larger graduating classes.
- More than 675 Los Alamitos High School seniors and family members participated in the sixth annual Rossmoor Graduation Parade, continuing a tradition that began during the pandemic to celebrate graduates with decorated vehicles, community support and local dignitaries.
- Amid federal threats to withhold funding over transgender athlete participation, the California Department of Education is advising school districts to uphold state law that protects students’ rights to compete in sports based on their gender identity.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May budget revision proposes easing transitional kindergarten class size penalties by applying them only to the number of students exceeding the 24-student average per school, rather than all TK students, potentially reducing financial impacts on districts and charters.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.