The $74 million middle school expansion project at the Malibu Middle and High School campus will add new academic, wellness and athletic spaces designed to support student learning and well-being. | Photo Credit: LPA Architecture
- C.W. Driver Companies has broken ground on the $74 million second phase of the Malibu Middle and High School campus.
- The project will add two buildings totaling 40,000 square feet: a middle school core building and a gymnasium.
- Completion is expected in late 2028.
MALIBU, Calif. — C.W. Driver Companies has started construction on a $74 million expansion of the Malibu Middle and High School campus that will provide dedicated academic, wellness and athletic facilities for middle school students.
The second phase of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District project will deliver a middle school core building and gymnasium totaling 40,000 square feet. The work follows completion of an interdisciplinary high school building, which broke ground in November of 2024 and was completed in September of 2025.
Combined, the projects advance the district’s effort to establish distinct middle and high school identities on the campus.
The middle school core building will house special education and counseling spaces, a wellness center, a media lab and food-service areas. Shaded outdoor spaces are also planned to support year-round use and connect students with the surrounding coastal and hillside setting.
The separate gymnasium will include a fitness studio and a multi-sport court accommodating basketball, volleyball, soccer and badminton, among other activities. An ocean-view deck will front the building.
“Student wellness is a key driver of strong academic outcomes,” said Dave Amundson, Project Executive at C.W. Driver Companies. “When students have access to facilities that support their overall well-being, they can succeed in the classroom and build strong relationships with their peers.”
Sustainability features will include photovoltaic panels expected to offset 50% of energy use, according to the contractor. The design also calls for measures to reduce the effects of wind and sun, along with ceiling fans and operable windows to improve air circulation and thermal comfort.
A concrete mix incorporating natural materials from the Santa Monica Mountains is planned as another way to connect the buildings with their surroundings.
“Following a successful year of the new Malibu High School campus, we’re excited to keep building a campus that reflects the distinct needs of all our students,” said Carey Upton, Chief Operations Officer for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Project partners include LPA Architecture, Massetti Consulting and Element Consulting. The second phase is expected to be completed in late 2028.
This article is based on an emailed press release from C.W. Driver Companies dated Sept. 10, 2026.