The first students for the South County’s newest high school — River Islands High — will step onto the campus at 8 a.m. Monday to start the 2024-2025 school year.

The initial year at the new campus still under construction in the planned River Islands at Lathrop community of 15,001 homes will feature freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

The starting enrollment is projected to be 550 students.

There are currently 3,900 households at River Islands.

Schools in the planned community are operated by River Islands Academies under the umbrella  of the Banta Unified School District.

The initial phase of construction now underway will accommodate 900 students. Ultimately when all phases are built, the campus will be designed for 2,000 students.

One of two initial two-story classroom buildings is completed for opening day as is the career and technical education complex.

The administration complex that includes the student services center and library should be completed by the end of the school year. Until then, administration will be housed in a portable building.

Work on the 70,000-square-foot gym complete with weightroom and locker rooms will be completed sometime during the school year.

The 8-lane track and football practice field are already in place. Temporary bleachers will be brought in for home football games this year.

Permanent bleachers will ultimately be built for school assemblies as well as track meets.

Work on the Islanders Stadium that will seat 4,000 will start in the coming months adjacent to the baseball field that is near the town center. That stadium will then host home River Islands High football game.

Freshmen and sophomore classes were taught last school year at a River islands elementary campus.

River Islands will add a senior class for the 2025-2026 school year.

The campus is designed to provide a college feel.

The school’s mascot is the Riptide.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com