District Leaders Join Pacific Beach Elementary Students and Community to Celebrate Completion of New TK and Kinder Building, Campuswide Improvements

News Release

District Leaders Join Pacific Beach Elementary Students and Community to Celebrate Completion of New TK and Kinder Building, Campuswide Improvements

Monday, February 2, 2026

SAN DIEGO -New and upgraded facilities at Pacific Beach Elementary School are now open and ready for use.

On Monday, Pacific Beach Elementary School students joined leaders from the San Diego Unified School District, parents, and community members to celebrate the completion of their Whole Site Modernization project, which brought them a new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) & Kindergarten building, an expanded grass joint-use playfield, a secure main campus entryway, renovated classrooms, and shade shelters.

"These new upgrades and the TK and Kinder facility reflect thoughtful planning and design that support effective teaching and learning," said San Diego Unified Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula. "They also reflect our district's commitment to our youngest learners, giving them the gift of time to build a strong foundation for future school success."

One of 50 completed TK and Kinder facilities at schools across the San Diego Unified School District,the new TK and Kinder facility at PBES includes modern, state-of-the-art classrooms and collaborative workspaces that lead out to a new play structure with a shade shelter.

Campuswide, all existing classrooms, the student services facility, the multi-purpose room, and the school kitchen were renovated, and all restrooms were upgraded. A second shade shelter was also installed in the general play area. To make room for these new facilities, all portable classrooms were removed.

"Our students love these new and upgraded facilities, and we love to see them love them," said Karon Schnitzer, Pacific Beach Elementary School Principal. "Our teachers can also do more with the spaces, so it's a win-win."

"It's been amazing to see our school go under construction since I've been here," said 5th-Grade Student Suzy Liielnora. "I know future students will have great experiences with these new facilities."

Located along Tourmaline Street, Pacific Beach Elementary School has served the community for 96 years.

First opened in 1930, Pacific Beach Elementary began with just one campus building, then added an additional building in 1938. As the population grew, so did the campus. Five additional buildings were added from 1940 to 1957.

In 1976, the 1930 buildings were replaced by a single building, and five buildings were constructed for the former Los Altos Child Development Center. At that time, three portable classrooms were added due to the increased student population. In 2004, a 1.8-acre joint-use field along Turquoise Street was created for student and public use. Over the years, the community asked for more green space at the Tourmaline Street campus.

In Fall 2023, construction began on this project.

"As someone who grew up in La Jolla, it is encouraging to see neighborhood schools benefit from meaningful, long-term investments," said Cody Patterson, San Diego Unified Board of Education Trustee. "Thanks to community-approved bond funding, these projects reflect what is possible when residents come together to support strong public schools."

The project also includes a joint-use expansion, which will open to the public in late spring 2026. The joint-use area added to the existing joint-use facility includes a walking and running track, a new basketball court, new trees, a drinking fountain, secure perimeter fencing, and a public access gate. As part of the Play All Day partnership with the City of San Diego, the joint-use field will be accessible to the community as a local park after school hours and during school breaks.

A Transitional Kindergarten through fifth-grade campus, Pacific Beach Elementary offers robust arts and science programs; music, theater, and dance opportunities; and hands-on scientific experiences through a partnership with San Diego Youth Science.