Texas K–12 District Breaks Ground on Tenth Elementary School

The Waxahachie Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s tenth elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with VLK Architects on the project. Funding comes from a voter-approved bond from May 2023 that will also lead to the construction of a second facility, a replacement elementary school to meet the district’s recent enrollment growth.

The new school will serve students in grades PreK–5 and include amenities like an open-concept library and collaboration spaces. The school’s exterior will feature red brick, and the interior will use natural colors and circular abstract forms on ceilings, floors, and walls to create a sense of vibrancy, movement, and energy, according to the news release. According to the district website, the school will have capacity for about 800 students.

“With its focus on student collaboration and varied learning spaces, this new elementary is an exciting addition to Waxahachie ISD,” said VLK Principal Jonathan Aldis. “It also represents an important first step in following through with the hard work of the 2022 Long Range Planning Committee and preparing for Waxahachie ISD’s future.”

The district received donated land in the Saddlebook neighborhood on the city’s east side for the new school’s placement. Completion is scheduled for the school to open its doors in time for the 2024–25 academic year. The facility will measure in at 90,822 square feet and is tentatively slated to be known as Saddlebrook Elementary, according to online construction reports.

“Because of education, we will continue to be a shining star in this part of North Texas,” said Superintendent Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth. “Because of education, people will continue to want to live here and to build lives here and build their entire existence in this place. And our community said we want to continue to be that kind of place.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.