Alameda County's First New High School In 50 Years Opens Tuesday

DUBLIN, CA — Alameda County’s first new high school in over 50 years opens Tuesday, and they’re making up for lost time. Dublin’s $374 million Emerald High School will welcome its first 950 freshmen and sophomores Tuesday, who will be treated to a gleaming new school boasting everything from a 31,898 square-foot gym to a grand student union with 40-foot ceilings.

The school is not entirely complete. In March, construction finished on Phase 1, which features the first of two academic towers, an administrative building, the student union, gym, library, locker rooms with physical therapy and weight training, eight tennis courts, a football field, track, and a visual and performing arts center.

By April, the school anticipates completing Phase 2, which will add an additional academic tower, an extension to the visual and performing arts center, and stadium bleachers. Currently, the school can accommodate 1,300 students, but hopes to accommodate 2,500 students by the end of Phase 2. Phase 3, anticipated to complete in August 2026, will see the completion of the 600-seat Catherine Kuo Performing Arts Center.

The 301,000-square-foot school will be full by fall 2026, and will offer the following amenities and programs:

• 159,303 square feet of classrooms
• 18,563-square-foot visual and performing arts building
• 13,811-square-foot student union building
• 21,004-square-foot library
• 31,898-square-foot gym
• 4,800-square-foot pool
• 137-seat lecture hall
• 8 tennis courts
• 8-lane track
• 3,885-square-foot football/soccer/lacrosse field
• Approximately 443 parking spaces

The school will feature state-of-the-art academic programs and facilities, such as:

• Three Career Technology Education Pathway programs
• An Academic, College, and Career Education Center (ACCESS) providing academic support during and after school and extensive college and career counseling resources
• Two specialized Lifeskills Labs in an apartment-like setting to help special education students with independent living
• World language instruction in Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, and Korean
• Visual and performing arts programs like instrumental and vocal music, dance, theater, ceramics, sculpture, digital and video arts, and more