A major $45.4 million federal grant has been approved to support a large-scale school infrastructure project serving families connected to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The funding will help transform Manzanita Public Charter School through extensive construction and modernization efforts aimed at improving educational facilities for students and military families.
The grant is part of the Department of War Public School on Military Installations (PSMI) program and will contribute to a nearly $60 million total project. The investment will support the construction of new facilities including a gymnasium, library, multipurpose center, music room, six classrooms, and a kitchen. Existing school infrastructure will also be upgraded with improvements such as air conditioning systems, enhanced playgrounds, safety upgrades, and landscaping enhancements.
Additional funding of approximately $14.6 million will come from state and local sources, including a California charter school facilities grant, the Lompoc Unified School District, and Manzanita Public Charter School contributions.
The project is particularly significant for the Vandenberg community, as a large portion of students at Manzanita come from military families stationed at the base. Officials say the upgraded campus will strengthen ties between the installation and the surrounding community while improving quality of life for service members and their families.
Base leadership and school officials have emphasized the importance of modern, safe, and supportive learning environments, noting that the long-planned project reflects years of collaboration between federal, state, and local partners. Planning for the project began in 2018 and continued through challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and will be completed in multiple phases over a three-year period. The project is expected to provide long-term benefits for students, staff, and the wider Lompoc community by delivering upgraded educational infrastructure and expanded learning spaces.
