Just last year, there were nearly 4,000 students swarming the grounds of Dublin High School. But now, these numbers have noticeably dwindled. The once bustling halls of DHS have grown quieter, the lunch lines shorter… even Wednesday traffic doesn’t seem quite so bad.

According to the Dublin Unified School District, the student population between 2010 and 2020 skyrocketed by 92%. In eagerness to relieve overcrowding, the opening of Emerald High school has been long-awaited by many Dublin families. The school has come to life with over 900 students roaming the brand new campus currently and 2,500 when it reaches full capacity. Indeed, the new school’s future is full of opportunities and potential for change. However, its opening has had a profound impact on Dublin High.

“The 504 morning bus was really crowded last year, and there were a lot of Emerald students,” DHS sophomore Kopal Tare shared, describing her experience taking the bus to school. “But now, there’s a seat for everyone!” Getting on the bus used to be such a hassle. If students did not sprint, they would be forced to stand for the whole ride, crammed with hundreds of other high schoolers desperate to get home. Nobody dared to dream of stretching out their legs or carrying an instrument. Now, Kopal and other DHS bus passengers can enjoy a comfortable ride to and from school.

“I noticed that there was a lot more open space during lunch which was different from last year… there were many crowds near the old gym and the big tree,” sophomore Veronica Moore states. Physical space is a necessity in a busy campus like Dublin High in terms of school-wide events like club fairs. These events are crucial because they build a sense of community and encourage Dublin High students to be more involved with their school. Now that more space is available on campus, it’s becoming easier for students to grow closer and form a tight-knit community. Moreover, several portables and classrooms have opened up since the transition of EHS students. The vacant area formerly used for Emerald High classrooms now has the potential to be used in a variety of ways to improve Dublin High, including introducing new sports facilities, new classrooms, or dedicating extra space to PE classes.

The opening of Emerald High School marks a significant change for the Dublin community. While DHS has noticed some shifts in its day-to-day life, these changes have also brought about new opportunities for growth and improvement on campus. With the addition of a second high school in the Dublin Unified School District, there will surely be more space and resources for generations of Dublin High students to enjoy.