MALIBU, Calif. — September 30, 2025 — C.W. Driver Companies has completed Phase 1 of the new Malibu High School campus, marking a significant milestone for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD). The $102 million project delivered a 70,000-square-foot interdisciplinary core building designed to serve up to 600 students in a modern, sustainable learning environment.
The two-story building replaces the former Juan Cabrillo Elementary School site, with C.W. Driver leading both demolition and modernization. The space was created to support collaborative, project-based learning while drawing inspiration from Malibu’s natural surroundings.
“The development of Malibu High School’s new core building was a great opportunity to build an interdisciplinary learning environment for students to be able to excel in all subjects,” said Dave Amundson, project executive at C.W. Driver. “It helped us provide another wonderful learning facility for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s needs, so they can focus on supporting their students.”
Features of the New Campus
Phase 1 integrates multiple academic and student life spaces, including:
- STEM classrooms
- Visual and performing arts studios
- Special education facilities
- Project-based learning labs
- Multipurpose areas
- A library, cafeteria, and administrative offices
The design allows for flexible use and reflects the district’s emphasis on experiential education.
“It was such a pleasure working with C.W. Driver to build a campus that suits all students' needs while providing a hands-on learning experience in all subjects,” said Carey Upton, chief operations officer for SMMUSD. “An interdisciplinary campus like this will be a stepping stone for future campuses as the learning experience continues to become more experiential.”
Sustainable Design & Resilience
Sustainability was central to the project. C.W. Driver incorporated 30 colored concrete walls made from natural materials sourced from the Santa Monica Mountains, ensuring the structure blended with Malibu’s environment.
The campus meets California Title 24 certification, Net Zero standards, Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) guidelines, and daylight modeling requirements.
Resilience planning was also a priority. Construction teams overcame challenges such as historic rainfall and two wildfires, implementing protective measures like rapid wall installation, plastic coverings, and gravel access paths to avoid delays.
Community Impact
The new campus expands educational accessibility in Malibu, where students often commute from rural locations. The district aims to have half of its students from within Malibu’s zip code, with another 25% from surrounding areas, reinforcing the school as a cornerstone for the local community.
The building also represents a consolidation effort: C.W. Driver demolished nine outdated structures, totaling nearly 39,000 square feet, to create a centralized, efficient learning hub.
Next Steps & Recognition
Phase 2 of the Malibu High School project is already underway, with C.W. Driver selected as the contractor following the firm’s Award of Excellence / Project in Design from the 2024 CASH/AIA CA Leroy F. Greene Design & Planning Awards.
Beyond Malibu, the firm continues to lead on educational builds across California, including projects for Roosevelt Elementary, Long Beach USD, Menifee Union SD, Irvine USD, and San Diego USD.
Originally reported by C. W Driver Companies.
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