Texas District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

The Bushland Independent School District in Bushland, Texas—located near Amarillo, in the state’s panhandle—recently broke ground on a new elementary school. Local news reports that the new facility will accommodate enrollment growth within the district. Voters approved a $94.3-million bond in May 2021 to go toward the project. The new school is projected to open in August 2023, according to the district website.

“We’ve been working on the design and the bond for about a year and a half now,” said Chris Wigington, Superintendent of Bushland ISD. “Our district is growing pretty quickly, and we felt like it was time to build a new elementary school.”

The new elementary school kicks off a series of construction projects in the district’s queue. The new facility will house students in grades PreK-2. The district middle school will undergo a series of renovations and then house students in grades 3–5. All middle school students will move into the existing high school, and the district will build a new high school for students in grades 9–12, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2024.

The new elementary school will feature eight classrooms per grade level, flex classrooms and designated co-teaching areas, local news reports. Wigington also revealed that there will be a multipurpose outdoor courtyard with learning stations for a variety of active learning experiences.

"We are busting at the seams. All of our classes are full, and we just received two new students today," said Bushland Elementary School Principal Brandi Rankin. "We are very excited for the new elementary school. It will allow for more early childhood development for the preK through second[-graders], and then allow for our third- through fifth-graders to have their own space to prepare for their curriculum, which involves state testing."

Project renderings are available on the Bushland ISD website. The district is partnering with Dallas-based architecture and design firm Corgan for all three components of district construction.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • Western Kentucky University, Gilbane Announce “Elevate WKU” Partnership

    Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., recently announced that it has reached the financial close on a on a public-private partnership (P3) with Gilbane Development, according to a news release.