The original junior or community college in San Luis Obispo County was initiated as a postgraduate division of San Luis Obispo High School in 1916 and remained in operation until the United States entered World War I. In 1936, the San Luis Obispo High School District formed another junior college, which remained in operation until June 1959. On April 16, 1963, San Luis Obispo County voters approved the formation of a countywide junior college district, serving seven public high school districts. In 1971, the junior college district was renamed a community college. In 1970, ground was broken for the college's first permanent buildings, located on a 150-acre campus west of Camp San Luis Obispo. During the following 30 years, classroom buildings, a library, an observatory, a student center, art and music labs, an art gallery, a high tech learning center, a children's center and numerous offices were constructed on the San Luis Obispo campus. By spring, 2002, the student population on the San Luis Obispo Campus grew to more than 8,400 students. In fall 1998, the college opened its North County Campus, which was built using private funds. The North County Campus now serves approximately 2,100 students in day and evening classes as a junior college. Temporary buildings were used until permanent buildings are provided by the state to accommodate new classrooms, a science lab, a library and a multi-purpose room on the 105-acre site. In 2001, Cuesta College opened a new South County Center at Arroyo Grande High School, providing expanded class offerings and services. The new facility is another step in Cuesta's ongoing effort to reach South County students. Additional facilities for admissions services and classes were offered at the new Nipomo High School in fall 2002. Cuesta College now serves more than 10,600 students. The college has become a center for the community.