Riverside STEM Academy presents expansion options; UCR campus proposal estimated at $134M
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Summary
Riverside STEM Academy staff described institutional factors driving student success and examined multiple expansion options, including a proposed UCR preparatory campus (8.3 acres, ~67,000 sq ft, conceptual estimate $134 million). Staff and community discussed trade-offs: preserved cohort culture vs. increased capacity, transportation costs, EIR status and potential funding sources.
Riverside STEM Academy leaders and district staff presented a multi-option facilities study Dec. 18 that examined how to preserve the school’s cohort model and high-expectation culture while expanding capacity.
Mike Cowell, STEM Academy director, summarized survey and focus-group results identifying three core success factors: strong student–teacher relationships, consistent teacher teams across years, and university partnerships that enrich Capstone research opportunities. The district’s facilities team outlined four conceptual approaches: build a new high-school campus on an 8.3-acre UCR site (concept plan: 67,000 sq ft; budget estimate: $134,000,000); renovate the existing campus (rough estimate: $83,000,000); relocate to another district-owned site (rough estimate: $60M–$110M depending on site); or integrate STEM into a larger comprehensive school (staff warned this could dilute the academy’s model).
Staff emphasized the UCR option would increase proximity to university laboratories, mentoring and research access but carries constraints: a lease structure possibly limited to 70 years, EIR approvals still pending, transportation impacts for younger students, and complex site development needs. Mr. Williams, facilities staff, highlighted that the preliminary Environmental Impact Report work and lease negotiations were underway, but several approvals from external agencies would be required before construction.
Community participants and board members asked for detailed cost breakdowns, wildfire and infrastructure risk assessments, and enrollment-impact modeling. Kevin Dawson (neighborhood co-chair) noted local fire-risk maps and urged scrutiny of UCR’s capacity and finances; teachers and parents stressed protecting the academy’s culture. Board members asked staff to continue community engagement, refine cost estimates and return with more detailed financial scenarios and enrollment projections before any binding decision.
No decision was made; the board accepted the presentation and directed staff to pursue additional analysis and community consultation.
