By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
COMPTON — The Compton Unified School District broke ground May 7 on a project to rebuild Centennial High School.
Centennial High School, originally built in 1954, is undergoing a $270 million facelift to bring another state-of-the-art school to the district that serves roughly 17,000 students.
Schhol board President Micah Ali is pushing a second $350 million school bond on the upcoming June 2 ballot, which is pledged in part to the rebuilding.
“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,” Ali said.
Ali then welcomed Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, an alumni of Centennial, to the microphone.
“Today is really nostalgic for me,” Young said. “Sometimes you hear that term ‘full circle.’ This is really a full-circle moment for me because I did actually attend this high school.
“Well, sometimes I attended,” Young added. “I was enrolled. I was here, sometimes. I’m making a commitment, and that commitment is to let go of the notion of giving back. Instead, I’m embracing the power of investing forward.”
Young previously donated $10 million toward the rebuild of Compton High School which features the Andre “Dr. Dre” Young Performing Arts Center.
Superintendent Darin Brawley emphasized the project as a cornerstone of the district’s mission to drive student achievement and deliver a 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,” Brawley said. “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,” he added. “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.”
In addition to Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar, Centennial High School has produced more than two dozen professional basketball and football players, and former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley.
The new Centennial High School is designed by DLR Group, the same team behind the new Compton High School.
The 220,000 square foot campus that will rise on the historic 32-acre site, will feature a 42,000-square-foot performing arts center, collegiate-level athletics facilities, a new CIF competition pool, and flexible, future-ready learning environments.
The new Centennial High School will serve more than 1,800 students and 135 staff when it welcomes its first students in August 2029.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
