Wednesday marks the first day of the 2025-2026 school year for Palisades Charter High School, which was destroyed in the Palisades Fire in January. A new campus was erected at the old Sears store in Santa Monica, where students finished last semester and begin this semester.

Pali High’s start comes a week ahead of Santa Monica High School’s first day on Aug. 21. The rest of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District also starts on that date.

Speaking to KTLA 5’s Omar Lewis before the bell rang on Wednesday, Pali High Principal Dr. Pam Magee expressed gratitude to student, families and community members for their patience with the unprecedented process of turning an old department store into a high school in quick fashion – and sticking with it for as long as they have.

“I think our

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