Milpitas Unified School District Receives $1.5M Grant for Innovation Campus

Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) was recently awarded a $1.5 million grant from Assemblymember Alex Lee’s District 24 Office to support local workforce development through the construction of the MUSD Innovation Campus.

“I’m excited to secure $1.5 million in the 2023-2024 state budget for MUSD’s Innovation Campus,” said Assemblymember Lee. “The funding will help MUSD build new learning experiences for high schoolers and adult learners, enriching its workforce development pathways. Doing so will help the school district prepare learners of all backgrounds to enter the dynamic workforce.”

A first-of-its-kind high school through adult, early childhood education research and workforce development center–located on the site of the former Samuel Ayer High School–the MUSD Innovation Campus will be a hub for future-ready learners of all ages to connect with local businesses and partners within classrooms and labs tailored to provide a real-world education.

“The MUSD Innovation Campus is unique in that it will intertwine business, higher education, governance, and community partnerships in uncommon ways,” said Superintendent Cheryl Jordan, who has invested her life’s work with MUSD. “This is about engaging learners in experiences that will shape their understanding of possibilities that they can manifest through their ingenuity and collaboration in the global world of work.”

The new facilities will support a wide variety of programming, including business entrepreneurship, robotics, virtual reality, Audio/Video production, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science and virtual design and construction, as well as simulation for legal, financial, manufacturing and health career training. The MUSD Innovation Campus will provide dedicated space for MUSD’s Adult Education School, Calaveras Hills High School and additional facilities for Milpitas High School students.

“I graduated from Milpitas HS ten years ago, and being a product of MUSD, it brings me great pride to see its vision of harnessing the diversity of MUSD learners to the Innovation Campus,” added Assemblymember Lee, a Sinnott Elementary, Rancho Milpitas MS and Milpitas HS alumnus. “Those in the MUSD community come from all walks of life. Their life experiences and political beliefs helped build my understanding of the diversity of the district I represent.”

Board of Education President Chris Norwood, also a proud product of MUSD public schools, noted: “For generations to come, the MUSD Innovation Campus is an education and economic investment for our children, adult learners, and employers of Milpitas. The Milpitas Unified School District Governing Board of Trustees recognizes the continued and ongoing efforts of Assemblymember Lee’s office in supporting our vision. We look forward to continuing our work with his office, other education-minded elected officials, and regional funders as we manage unforeseen post pandemic challenges.”

With the completion of Phase 1 for the start of the 2023-24 school year, the MUSD Innovation Campus is set to ignite workforce pathways and early childcare research in our region and beyond in two additional phases. Phase 2 is slated to be completed in summer 2024, while the Phase 3 opening is estimated for fall 2025. MUSD continues to seek the support of individual financial partners like that of KLA Corporation to sponsor this first-of-its-kind bridge between local businesses, institutes of higher education, governance,  and future-ready learners. For more information, please visit: https://www.musd.org/musd-innovation-campus-campaign.html. Through partnerships with community, colleges and universities, as well as local businesses, the MUSD Innovation Campus will provide training and education that support growing and emerging career fields and practical career simulation. This novel academic institution will prepare Milpitas students of all ages for the local – and global – job market. 

Upon full capacity, the 99,000 sq. ft. campus will consist of six new two-story buildings, as well as one modernized building complete with classrooms, learning labs, career simulation facilities, and STEAM labs.  The campus is designed to provide environments for  a wide variety of programming supported by flex spaces and outdoor learning quads. Each building will include sustainable materials, energy efficient lighting, all-electric mechanical systems, stormwater catchment and water-efficient landscaping.

“I am committed to ensuring that students have access to a quality public education,” Assemblymember Lee concluded. “The Innovation Campus will serve as a springboard to success for learners’ future careers, and I look forward to seeing its door open for the MUSD community.”

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About Milpitas Unified School District
Milpitas Unified School District is a beacon for learning for more than 10,000 students in early childhood through adult education. We have high expectations for every student and provide multiple opportunities and pathways for success. We provide learning opportunities for all and create nurturing environments where students are inspired and empowered. MUSD is an exceptional district in which students and staff are critical thinkers and trailblazers known for creativity and innovation. We prepare students to go out into the world and make a difference as responsible citizens who are passionate about life and learning. To learn more about Milpitas Unified School District, visit www.musd.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MilpitasUnified, or follow us on Instagram and  Twitter at @MUSDFamily.