Dr. Dre Donates $10 Million to Transform Compton High: A $200 Million Dream Realized

COMPTON, CA — Compton is making headlines for more than just its musical legacy—now, it’s the home of a brand-new, $200 million state-of-the-art high school campus, and one of its most iconic sons, Dr. Dre, played a major role in making it happen.

On Thursday, community leaders, educators, students, and the Grammy-winning rapper/producer gathered under bright skies for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked a new chapter for Compton High School. At the heart of the celebration was Dr. Dre’s remarkable $10 million donation, which helped bring to life the Andre “Dr. Dre” Young Performing Arts Center—a world-class facility now bearing his name and portrait.

“This is the type of building I would’ve loved to go to when I was growing up,” Dre said, standing before a crowd of proud students and community members. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t here then—but it’s here now.”

The massive new campus covers 31 acres and will serve more than 1,800 students when it opens in the fall. Among its cutting-edge features are:

A half-size Olympic swimming pool
A sprawling 36,000-square-foot gymnasium
A 140,000-square-foot academic building
And the centerpiece: a state-of-the-art recording studio inside the performing arts center, where future hitmakers can begin their journey.

Compton Unified School Board President Micah Ali addressed the crowd with emotion and pride, emphasizing that this project wasn’t just for the students—but for the entire community.

“This school stands as proof that Compton kids deserve the best,” Ali said. “And today, they’re getting it.”

Dr. Dre, born Andre Young, has long been a symbol of Compton’s raw talent and resilience. From revolutionizing hip-hop with N.W.A. to becoming a music mogul and tech entrepreneur, Dre’s success story is etched into the city’s cultural identity. And now, his legacy is literally built into the future of its youth.

“Compton is a breeding ground for talent,” Dre said. “I’m standing here as literal proof that coming from Compton, nothing can stop you. Everything is possible.”

He urged students to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the new campus—from arts to academics to cutting-edge technology—reminding them that big dreams can start right here at home.

The new campus replaces the original Compton High School, which stood for nearly 120 years. And while its walls are new, its soul remains rooted in a community that has always believed in its kids—even when the world didn’t.

Come this fall, those kids will walk into a future shaped by vision, investment, and the unwavering belief that greatness can rise from anywhere—even the streets of Compton.