Monarch School Students Relocated After Mold Discovery
The San Diego school has moved 170 students to temporary campuses following air quality testing results.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Monarch School in Barrio Logan has relocated its entire student body of 170 K-12 students to alternative sites after air quality testing revealed the presence of mold. Younger students have been moved to Perkins K-8, while older students are attending classes at the South County Regional Education Center in National City.
Why it matters
The relocation prioritizes the health and safety of students and staff after environmental testing identified hazardous building conditions. The school remains committed to ensuring that operations only resume once professional remediation confirms the facility is safe.
All 170 students were moved to temporary campuses on August 28. Management has requested parental permission for these relocations to remain in effect through December 2026.
The players
Monarch School
A public school in San Diego that provides comprehensive education and support services for students experiencing homelessness.
San Diego County Office of Education
A regional educational agency that manages district-level services and operates the facility used by the school.
Monarch School Project
The nonprofit organization that owns the school building and partners with the county to serve local youth.
The details
The school is currently collaborating with environmental experts and remediation professionals to address the building conditions found during air quality testing. Officials from the San Diego County Office of Education, which rents the facility from the Monarch School Project, have stated that operations will not resume until internal testing confirms the building is safe for occupancy. Administrators are actively exploring long-term solutions for both students and staff during this transition.
Timeline
August 28, 2026: Monarch School closed the Barrio Logan campus and relocated students.
Students will remain at temporary campuses through next week at a minimum.
Permission slips for the alternate campus locations remain active through December 2026.
The Home Front
This move highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining older school infrastructure under modern health and safety regulations. It reflects a broader trend of districts prioritizing environmental testing to prevent long-term health risks in educational settings.
Families affected by the relocation should keep the school's communication portal open for updates regarding the anticipated return to the Barrio Logan facility. If you notice signs of mold or air quality issues in your own residence, contact a licensed professional for assessment rather than attempting cleanup yourself.
The takeaway
The school has prioritized student safety by moving classes off-site while environmental experts address the mold issue. Families should monitor school communications for any changes to the current temporary schedule or plans for returning to the main building after December.
Further reading
For more updates on district-wide school facility management, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
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