Pacific Buddhist Academy begins its 15th year with the dedication and grand opening of a new $9 million campus Friday.

The new campus will enable the high school to double its enrollment to 140, a news release said. The dedication will be held at 11 a.m. and the grand opening ceremony at 6 p.m. at 1710 Pali Highway near Lusitana Street in the Punchbowl district.

Community and church leaders, including Monshu Kojun Ohtani, head minister of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji denomination and a 25th-generation descendant of Jodo Shinshu founder Shinran Shonin, will participate.

The building offers 12,000 square feet of flexible learning space, featuring eight new classrooms; a science lab; fine arts, music and filmmaking studios; and a tearoom. Rather than remain in one room all day, teachers will use various classrooms to fit their lessons, and rooms with retractable walls will enable flexible learning spaces. Other highlights include an outdoor natural amphitheater that can be turned into a learning space or gathering area. Architects have designed open spaces with natural lighting between structures.

“This new learning environment dramatically enhances our ability to provide students with leadership skills in the service of peace in Hawaii’s communities,” said Pacific Buddhist Academy Head of School Josh Hernandez Morse.

Situated near the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin on Pali Highway, it is the only accredited Buddhist high school in Hawaii.