Hmong American Peace Academy's new high school to be complete in August 2021

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA) is getting a new high school on Milwaukee's north side.

An event was held Thursday, Oct. 1, to celebrate the new addition near N. 84th Street and W. Glendale Avenue, where the high school will be built.

The new $30 million school with 99,000 square feet will be able to serve up to 900 students when at full capacity.

A HAPA representative spoke at the event. She said the new school will give underserved students a better education.

"Data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction shows that despite 95 percent-- 95 percent of our students live below the poverty line -- their academic performance when compared to all the schools in Wisconsin exceeds expectation," said Chris Her-Xiong, HAPA founder and executive director.

The new school is set to be complete in August of next year.

Currently, HAPA serves over 1,800 K4-12 students.