“Charles H. Kim elementary school’s sustainable design epitomizes core CHPS principles,” said Guy Mehula, Chief Facilities Executive.  “This school is meeting this community’s tremendous need for a healthy, safe and comfortable learning environment, which translates into improved student performance.  Many parents have even transferred their kids out of private schools to attend this wonderful new community school.”

School District:

Harley Ellis Devereaux

Under sunny Southern California skies on January 15, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) broke ground on the Cahuenga New Elementary School #1 -- the first in a series of new schools in the district to meet the CHPS Design Guidelines.

Before a crowd of approximately 200 students, community members and district representatives, speakers including State Superintendent of Instruction Jack O'Connell, LAUSD School Board President Jose Huizar, and Los Angeles City Council Member Tom LaBonge celebrated the collaborative process that has made this much-needed school a reality. Located in Los Angeles' Koreatown, the Cahuenga New Elementary School #1 will help relieve overcrowding in the district that currently has hundreds of students being bused to schools in other parts of the city. Once complete, this K-5 school will accommodate 804 students on a traditional calendar and 1,125 on a year-round calendar.

In addition to easing school overcrowding, this school is also the first new facility built since LAUSD passed a resolution in 2002 adopting the CHPS Design Guidelines for their schools. CHPS Executive Board Member Randall Higa presented LAUSD with an award honoring their commitment to high performance schools during the groundbreaking ceremony. High performance features at the school will include integrated daylight and electric lighting systems in classrooms, recycled content ceiling and wall panels, and overall energy use that exceeds the California Title 24 energy standards by 30%.