Architecture Firm Celebrates Project Completions for New School Year

VLK Architects recently announced that it has completed a series of projects on a wide variety of K–12 campuses in Texas in time for the new school year. Against the background of supply chain issues and construction delays, VLK’s partnership with districts, consultants and contractors led to the successful completion of new constructions, renovations and additions across more than 20 school districts that serve more than 500,000 K–12 students.

“The anticipation of a new school year is always an exciting time, and we look forward to it with the same passion as our clients,” said Todd Lien, VLK Managing Partner. “Whether this is a renovation of an older campus or a brand-new school to address the tremendous growth that our clients are experiencing, we work with them to provide innovative, imaginative, and cost-effective solutions for their communities. Seeing these projects come to life on the first day of school is a highlight for us.”

One of the completed projects is Cherry Elementary School for the Royse City Independent School District in Royse City, Texas, located in the northeast part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The project broke ground in November 2021, according to local news, and consisted of building a brand-new campus for the existing school.

“The team at VLK took the vision of our community and created an absolutely beautiful and intelligent learning environment for the students at Ruth Cherry Elementary,” said Royse City ISD Superintendent Kevin Worthy. “From added safety features in classrooms, to breakout learning spaces and creative aesthetics, I am so proud of the final product. Most importantly, I know that our amazing educators will use the space to build meaningful relationships with students and families for years to come.”

According to a VLK press release, other notable projects finished include:

  • Allen ISD: Ereckson Middle School
  • Austin ISD: Brentwood Elementary School
  • Brazosport ISD: Brazoswood High School
  • Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD: Perry Middle School
  • Crowley ISD: Sports Complex
  • Denton ISD: Denton High School and Carrico Athletic Complex
  • Katy ISD: Robertson Elementary School
  • Lamar CISD: Maxine Phelan Elementary School
  • Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD: Eagle Stadium
  • Waller ISD: Waller High School

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • University of Mary Washington Selects Builder for New Theater, Dance Facility

    The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected construction and development firm Skanska to lead a series of renovations and upgrades to fine arts facilities, according to a news release.