BYCOR General Contractors to Assist in Expansion of Monarch School for Homeless Youth

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (February 15, 2012) – BYCOR General Contractors has long supported its local community and will be on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking on a new campus for Monarch School, the public K-12 school exclusively for area children impacted by homelessness.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 16th at 11:15 a.m. at 1625 Newton Avenue, just south of Petco Park in downtown San Diego.  Tours and activities will begin at 10:30 a.m.

BYCOR will provide its construction expertise to the remodeling of an existing 51,000 square-foot, two-story office building located on 2.2 acres that will serve as Monarch School’s newest campus.  Over the past 14 years BYCOR has assisted with the development, construction and renovation of Monarch school sites.

With completion of the building remodel projected for fall 2012, the new Monarch campus will allow for more than twice the existing student capacity and will feature separate classrooms for each grade level, computer and science labs, a library, literacy and tutoring centers, a health center, and a multi-purpose room that will serve as cafeteria, gym and auditorium.

The increase in student capacity, with additional room in the building for future growth, will improve the overall educational experience for students and enable Monarch School to share its expertise with education leaders throughout the country and serve as a national model for educating students impacted by homelessness.

The number of homeless school age youth in San Diego has increased dramatically as more families have experienced economic hardships and the loss of their homes.  In 2011 the number of homeless children in San Diego County reached 15,780, and three out of four of these kids were of elementary school age. 

Despite the growing need, Monarch’s current 10,000 square foot facility has limited capacity and restricts the number of students the school can accept.  Classrooms must accommodate two grade levels each, and critical support services including eye exams and tutoring are held in the middle of the hall/lobby.  The only outdoor area at the current site, a minimal 5,000 square feet, is used as a catch-all for the cafeteria, gym, auditorium, and study hall.

BYCOR recognizes how critically important the work of Monarch School is to breaking the cycle of homelessness and providing students with hope for a brighter future.

“Monarch School has been a primary focus of BYCOR’s Community Contributions Program for 14 years, and we are pleased to be playing a role in the construction of the newest Monarch School campus,” stated Scott Kaats, CEO of BYCOR. 

“There is no more critical need for students impacted by homelessness than a high quality education, and the new building will allow twice as many students to receive instruction and support services that improve their quality of life.  The February 16th groundbreaking is an important milestone, and we look forward to beginning work on the remodel so the campus will be ready for students in the fall,” said Kaats.

Founded in 1988, Monarch School is the only school of its kind in the country. Serving K-12th grade homeless students, Monarch operates through a unique partnership with the public school system and a nonprofit arm to supplement education with basic needs, such as food, hygiene kits, clothing, school supplies, transportation to and from school, counseling, and more.

A recognized leader in San Diego County’s commercial construction industry, BYCOR General Contractors has established a reputation for working in a team environment to overcome challenges using creative thinking and innovative problem solving while delivering even the most complex projects on time and within agreed upon budgets.

In 1981, Rich Byer and Scott Kaats began shaping BYCOR’s corporate vision: a construction company built upon a foundation of integrity, hard work and smart management. Today, with a staff of more than 70 committed professionals, BYCOR General Contractors offers financial stability, superior performance and an unwavering commitment to developing longstanding, positive relationships with clients, subcontractors, employees, and the community.

BYCOR’s Community Matters Program provides substantial support for San Diego area schools, churches and other non-profit organizations, including Monarch School.