Emerald High in Dublin 1st new Alameda County high school in 50 years

DUBLIN, Calif. - Emerald High School in Dublin is a brand new campus that will welcome students on Tuesday for the first time.

Emerald High is Alameda County's first public comprehensive school to be built in 50 years.

That simply means that any district student can attend the school, regardless of grades or academic excellence.

"This is a dream of this community for the last decade," said schools superintendent Chris Funk. "In my 36 years, this is the first time I've ever had the opportunity to open up a new high school."

It's a project that totaled $374 million, and it's still partly under construction.

When it's completely finished, there will be two three-story towers with the capacity to fit 2,500 students.

Now, one tower is open for instruction with about 1,000 students expected to attend this year.

"My favorite thing about the campus is that it's so new," said principal Francis Rojas."

The school is a necessary addition for Dublin.

Census data shows it was California's fastest growing city in the last 15 years.

Dublin saw a 58% increase in the population from 2010 to 2020. 

And the city has approved more new housing in that same period than any other city in the Bay Area. 

The school is a college-ready campus equipped with a student union, lecture hall, a gymnasium large enough to fit three full-sized basketball courts, and a mental wellness center.

Parents with students attending Emerald High say they like the campus.

"When she told me this was going to be a brand new school, I came to see it under construction and I was like ‘oh my God,’" said Sandra Saidiqi of her freshman daughter.

"So far, we have seen a great response from them," said Anilash Azeez, the father of a freshman student. "There have been small hiccups, maybe some growing pains. We just wanted to raise some concerns and make sure our voices are heard."

Some parents hoped to meet with school leadership. They argued their kids were only able to sign up for one elective course instead of two, something that is offered at Dublin High School. Students there operate on a 7-period schedule.

Emerald High's principal says that schedule is only specific to Dublin High because of an agreement with the Dublin Teachers Association. Students at Emerald High operate on a 6-period schedule. 

"Emerald High is not under that Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, that allows that schedule," Rojas explained. "Freshman have one less elective that they can take, although they have an optional Zero period and optional seventh period that allows them to take it if it fits their schedule."

Looking ahead, the second tower of instruction is expected to be completed in time for the next academic year. Additionally, a 600-seat visual and performance arts theater will be built by 2026.