Students Return to Palisades Charter High School

Students are back at Palisades Charter High School for the first time since last January’s fire affected the campus.

Principal Dr. Pam McGee expressed joy on Instagram, noting the community’s perseverance through a challenging year. She mentioned that returning to the beloved campus evokes mixed emotions—reflecting on what was lost, the present, and hopes for the future. However, she remains optimistic about the school’s transition.

During the past year, around 2,500 students held classes at a converted former Sears store in Santa Monica, referred to as “Paris South,” while the primary campus remained shuttered due to significant fire damage. Although the school still needs repairs—about 40% of the campus was impacted—returning feels like a long-awaited step toward normalcy.

Students now occupy temporary classrooms in 36 bungalows placed on the baseball field. This setup is a stopgap until a new concrete building, projected to open in 2028, is completed.

While construction continues on athletic facilities like the soccer field, baseball field, and gym, McGee mentioned that physical education classes will take place on a large grassy area near the tennis courts.

Reflecting on the past year, McGee thanked the school community—parents, staff, students, and volunteers—for their support, highlighting that together they faced unprecedented challenges.

As students celebrated their return, many gathered outside the campus, holding signs with messages like “Resilience suits you,” “Welcome Home,” and “We Love Dolphins,” a nod to the school’s mascot.