Compton High School has reopened on a new 34-acre campus that includes a 900-seat performing arts center funded in part by music producer and Compton native Dr. Dre.
The school, which has served the city for over 125 years, now features newly built academic buildings, athletic facilities, and a range of technical education spaces. District leaders and local officials held a ribbon cutting May 22 to mark the occasion, calling the project a step forward in addressing the educational and extracurricular needs of Compton students.
Dr. Dre, whose legal name is Andre Young, donated $10 million toward the performing arts center, which now bears his name. In a statement released by the district, Young said the space was designed to give students a path into creative careers in music, media, and the arts. The center includes recording studios and stage equipment similar to what’s found in professional venues.
While the district says the new facilities were built to support “future-ready” learning, officials have not released a clear plan for how educational outcomes will be measured on the new campus. The project was designed by DLR Group, a national architecture firm that is also leading design work on Centennial High School.
Some features of the new campus include flexible classroom layouts, a central pedestrian corridor called “Academic Boulevard,” and spaces dedicated to career and technical education. District officials have stated that these elements are intended to modernize instruction and better prepare students for post-secondary options.
Athletics remain a visible part of the campus footprint, with a new stadium, tennis courts, and a half-sized Olympic swimming pool. Compton has a long history of competitive sports, and the facilities are expected to host school and community events. However, district leaders did not address questions about access for local residents or projected upkeep costs.
The district also launched a “Built by Compton” initiative during construction, aimed at employing local workers and businesses. Specific figures on contracts awarded or jobs created were not shared during the opening.
Compton Unified said planning is underway for a similar overhaul at Centennial High School, though no groundbreaking date has been announced.
