Specialized High School on Cal Poly Pomona Campus Breaks Ground on $20 Million Facility

POMONA, Calif., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- International Polytechnic High School (iPoly), a program that combines academics with real-world applications and teamwork, broke ground today on a 21-classroom facility located on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona.

"This long-dreamed-of facility means a permanent home for iPoly that will support its project-based approach to learning and further enhance the school's tradition of excellence," said Jon Gundry, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, which operates the school in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona.

Since its founding in 1993, iPoly has been located in portable buildings on the university campus. The California Distinguished School serves 500 students, the majority of whom reside in surrounding communities in the Pomona, San Gabriel and Inland Valleys.

"This is an exciting day for the entire campus community," said University President Michael Ortiz. "The groundbreaking for iPoly High School's new permanent facility is the outcome of years of perseverance and dedication by Principal Elsa Martinez, her faculty and staff, and all of the leadership at LACOE. It also means greater opportunities to expand partnerships and collaborate. On behalf of everyone at Cal Poly Pomona, welcome home."

The Office of Education has received a "financial hardship" grant of $31.2 million funded through the California School Facilities Program from Propositions 47, 55 and 1D.

The new two-level building, to feature numerous green innovations, will be situated on 44,579 gross square feet on 1.5 acres of land on the Cal Poly Pomona campus.

Current projected costs are $19.9 million. Any funds not used on eligible expenditures must and will be returned to the California School Facilities Program. Eligible expenditures include all costs associated with the design and construction of the facility.

The Office has contracted with Ontario-based HMC Architects and construction management firm C.W. Driver for the project.

Construction on the facility, to be located at the corner of Temple Ave. and University Drive in Pomona, is expected to start this month, with the grand opening slated for September 2012.

(Note: A rendering of the new facility can be downloaded at: www.lacoe.edu/images/IPOLYRendering.jpg.)

SOURCE Los Angeles County Office of Education