Chapman University has begun renovations on the historic Lydia D. Killefer School building, marking an exciting milestone in the university’s commitment to preserving a significant piece of American history and advancing cutting-edge research. The Killefer School, a nationally registered landmark, will soon be reborn as the new home of Chapman University’s Institute for Quantum Studies and the state-of-the-art Advanced Physics Laboratory.
Purchased by Chapman University in 2020, this iconic building, located on Olive Street just north of Walnut Ave in the City of Orange, will undergo a transformation that respects its rich historical significance while embracing the future of scientific exploration. Approved by the Planning Commission on July 17, the renovation plans will ensure the preservation of the Killefer School’s historic essence while adapting its interior to serve as a hub for groundbreaking research, offices, meeting spaces, and community-accessible exhibits.
One of the most notable features of the renovation is a new entrance from Olive Street, leading to a revitalized historic lobby that will prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. The outdoor spaces and courtyard will also see enhancements, fostering a sense of community, while a semi-public community room will be added to facilitate engagement with the broader public.
The Killefer School renovation project will commemorate the building’s role in the history of school desegregation in the United States. Integration at Killefer School occurred in 1944, a pivotal three years prior to the landmark Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Mendez, et al v. Westminster School District of Orange County, which ultimately ended segregation in Orange County schools. This case went on to set a precedent for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954, ending the legal right to segregation across the country.
Killefer School holds a unique place in history as one of the few Mexican schools preserved after desegregation, continuing to serve as a local elementary school until 1989.
The renovations are projected to be completed and the new home for the Institute for Quantum Studies opened by spring semester 2025.
About Chapman University
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from 123 areas of study within 11 colleges for a personalized education. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Students at Chapman learn directly from distinguished world-class faculty including Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur fellows, published authors and Academy Award winners.The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. The university features the No. 4 film school and No. 60 business school in the U.S. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu.
