With Castaic High School exactly one year away from opening, The William S. Hart Union High School District and Spirit Holding, the developers of the new school, hosted a “One Year Countdown Celebration” event Friday for the grand opening of the new campus.

“The progress that we’ve made as a district over the last six to eight years since we first selected the site has been tremendous,” said Steve Sturgeon, board president of the William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board.

The event was held at the Castaic High School location, which is still under construction.

“The building portion of this project alone to day has been a little over 228,000 man hours of effort,” said Randy Wrage, Spirit Holding’s project manager.

Surrounded by dirt and unfinished buildings, future students and families were able to meet the school’s founding principal.

“I’m looking forward to really kicking off the year with enthusiasm and letting students and families know what my vision is for the school,” said Melanie Hagman, founding Castaic High principal.

The new school is set to offer students an opportunity to take career technical classes and College of the Canyons courses, all within the comprehensive high school experience, according to Hagman.

Related: Castaic High School Progress Showcased During Tour By KHTS News (VIDEO)

Along with academics, students will be able to take part in clubs, athletics, performance groups and rallies.

“We’re making great progress on the construction of Castaic’s new high school,” said Wrage. “I’m delighted to share our progress with the community as we count down to the school’s grand opening in 2019.”

During the event, students and their families also had the opportunity to contribute their ideas for Castaic High’s mascot and school colors.

“I think it’s going to be the center point for the community, being that it’s very large,” Hagman said. “It’s going to attract not only students from Castaic, but from other schools and I think it’s just going to broaden the horizons of the community and really just make us a staple here.”

Castaic High school is located at 28480 Sloan Canyon Road, Castaic.  

To learn more about the Castaic High School Project, click here.

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