Three schools that were severely damaged in the Palisades Fire have been cleared of fire debris, setting the stage to start campus rebuilding, and an Altadena school destroyed in the Eaton Fire celebrated the opening of temporary classroom space, local officials announced Friday.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to open new classroom space for Saint Mark’s School, housing classes for students in developmental kindergarten through sixth grade. The school lost its campus in the Eaton Fire and is now at what’s been dubbed Saint Mark’s Village on the campus of EF Academy Pasadena. School officials said the project’s two-month completion time makes it the fastest local school rebuilding effort thus far.
“This ribbon-cutting represents more than just a temporary solution — it’s a testament to our community’s resilience and the collective effort to keep education at the forefront,” St. Mark’s Head of School Jennifer Tolbert said in a statement. “Thanks to the generosity of EF Academy, the dedication of countless supporters, and the critical state measures that expedited rebuilding efforts, our students can continue their education without disruption. We are confident that when we return to our permanent campus, it will be even stronger and better for the future.”
Saint Mark’s Village covers more than 12,000 square feet and includes 22 classrooms, administrative offices and dedicated outdoor space. It was built on 32,000 square feet of previously unused land at EF Academy.
“When Saint Mark’s School was displaced by the Eaton Fire, their administrators, teachers, and staff jumped into action to find a new temporary home to ensure as little disruption as possible for students,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger posted on social media. “Because of the generosity and hospitality of EF Academy Pasadena Campus, the students are now co-located on their school site to ensure Saint Mark’s children can continue to learn, grow, connect, and thrive.”
Across the county in the Palisades Fire burn area, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, City Councilwoman Traci Park and Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho publicly announced completion of debris clearance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary and Marquez Charter Elementary.
“Today’s milestone continues our recovery effort months ahead of expectation,” Bass said in a statement. “I want to thank our partners at LAUSD as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for ensuring that we are doing everything possible for students and families impacted by these fires.”
Park, who represents the 11th District that includes Pacific Palisades, said the work was a “big step forward” for the community.
“These schools are anchors in our community, and clearing them brings us closer to rebuilding and reopening for our students and families,” Park said in a statement. “I’m grateful to the Army Corps for their swift work.”
Col. Brian Sawser of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told reporters that fire debris-removal is moving forward and has been completed at hundreds of properties in the Palisades Fire zone.
Nick Melvoin, an LAUSD board member who represents schools in West LA and the western San Fernando Valley, said the district is one step closer to welcoming children back to these campuses safely.
Jon Brown is a parent whose child attends Palisades Charter Elementary. He also noted the significance of the fire recovery efforts, recalling Jan. 7 when he picked up his “kindergartner from school not knowing it would be the last time (the boy would) see his classroom standing. Watching your child lose their school, their home, their whole world — it breaks you,” Brown said in a statement
“But what’s helped put us back together is seeing people show up. Every soldier digging through ash, every official pushing this forward — you’re giving our kids a shot at feeling normal again,” Brown said. “You’re not just clearing debris — you’re creating a path back to our home. We’re deeply grateful, and we look forward to continuing this effort together.”
LA County and city officials have been urging residents affected by the wildfires to opt in or out of the Corps of Engineers’ free fire debris removal program. The Federal Emergency Management Agency extended the deadline to April 15 for residents to submit forms, which are available at bit.ly/4iKGvr2.
The Palisades and Eaton fires erupted Jan. 7 amid fierce Santa Ana winds and burned through the end of the month. The wildfires killed 30 people, destroyed or damaged over 18,000 structures and scorched nearly 27,500 acres.
