The building was an architectural landmark, designed by architect Rudolph A. Herold in a Georgian-style with red brick, trimmed with light sandstone accents.

"[4] "Its science laboratories with water, gas and electricity, the gymnasiums with lockers and showers and the spacious auditorium and stage made it the envy of rival institutions of the era.

[8] On April 16, 1956, City Manager Bartley W. Cavanaugh told the Board of Education that "all bodies have been removed",[9] but more human remains continued to be uncovered while the new school was being constructed in 1957 and 1958.

[12] The new school was built using pre-stressed concrete columns, a somewhat novel construction technique for the time, and steel canopies sheltering exterior corridors.

[13][14][15] After construction, the Sacramento city planning director criticized the school board for reneging on an alleged commitment to respect a reasonable perimeter setback: "The purpose of setting fencing back is to permit screen landscaping lawn area and street tree planting to provide attractive appearance to adjacent residents who often must face into bare, unsightly school recreational areas.

It would seem safe to say that no private developer would treat this location in this manner and certainly public agencies have a responsibility to set a higher standard.” In November 2024, Sacramento voters approved Measure D, authorizing the Sacramento City Unified School District to issue $543 million in bonds to fund school facilities and classroom modernization.