Village School Begins Construction on New Foundations
The school moves closer to a January 2028 reopening as crews pour new foundations at the original campus sites.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Primary Education
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Village School has officially begun pouring concrete for new foundations at its Swarthmore Avenue and La Cruz Drive campuses. The project marks a key milestone in rebuilding the school, which has operated from a temporary site in Santa Monica since its facilities were destroyed by the Palisades Fire.
Why it matters
The reconstruction progress provides a clearer timeline for families displaced by the Palisades Fire, who have been managing school logistics from the Colorado Center in Santa Monica since the incident. This transition from site clearance to foundation work allows construction to enter a more visible phase of campus development.
Crews began pouring concrete for new school foundations on October 6, 2026, following the earlier demolition of damaged structures that started in July 2026. The school remains on track for its anticipated reopening in January 2028.
The players
Village School
An educational institution currently operating out of a temporary Santa Monica location following the loss of its original campuses.
Gensler
An architecture and design firm partnered with the school to lead the interior reimagining and design of the new facilities.
The details
The current phase involves pouring concrete for new foundations and installing underground utilities to support the school buildings. Contractors are also retrofitting the underground parking systems as part of the initial site work. Following the demolition of the destroyed structures, this foundation work prepares the site for new vertical construction, which is expected to begin in the coming months.
Timeline
July 2026: Demolition work commenced on both campuses.
October 6, 2026: Contractors began pouring concrete for the new foundations.
January 2028: The school is currently scheduled to reopen.
The Home Front
The rebuilding of the Village School campuses represents a significant recovery milestone following the destruction caused by the Palisades Fire. This progress signals a return toward local normalcy for families adjusting to school logistics in the Santa Monica area.
Families associated with the school should prepare for the transition back to the original campus sites by January 2028. Monitor official school communications for updates on the upcoming vertical construction phase as new buildings begin to take shape.
The takeaway
The commencement of foundation work confirms the site is finally ready for the next phase of campus development. Families should continue to plan for the current temporary operations in Santa Monica through the end of 2027.
What happens next
Village School is scheduled to complete construction and reopen its campus facilities in January 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about local school infrastructure updates in our Primary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palisadian-Post.
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