The Los Cabos municipal council voted unanimously to donate five land parcels to Mexico’s federal Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) for the construction of five new high school campuses. The decision came during the council’s 21st regular session on May 8.
The land transfers will allow SEP to build preparatoria-level schools, the equivalent of U.S. high schools, across the municipality. The vote required no dissenting opinions, with all council members approving the donations.
Growing Demand for Schools in Los Cabos
Los Cabos is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Mexico. The 2020 census counted 351,111 residents, a 47.2% jump from 2010. That rapid growth has strained public services, including education.
The municipality currently has 313 schools from primary through high school level, according to government data. About 30.1% of residents aged 15 and older hold a high school diploma as their highest level of education, while 29.8% completed only middle school. The five new campuses would expand capacity for students in Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and surrounding communities.
What Comes Next
With the council’s approval secured, the land parcels will be formally transferred to SEP. The federal agency will then oversee design, funding, and construction of the five campuses. No timeline for groundbreaking or completion has been announced.
The municipality encompasses 3,750 square kilometers at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Its population has boomed alongside the tourism industry, but 28.5% of residents still live in poverty and 27.1% need food assistance, according to government figures. Educational infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the influx of new families moving to the region for work in hotels, restaurants, and construction.
The council session also addressed other municipal business, though the land donation was the most significant item on the agenda. The decision was first reported by Noticias La Paz.