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

  • Anderson Brulé Architects Rebrands as ABA Studios

    Anderson Brulé Architects, based in San Jose, Calif., recently announced that it is celebrating 40 years of service by rebranding under a new name, according to a news release. The architectural, interior design, and planning firm will now be known as ABA Studios to refresh its identity underneath a new generation of leadership.

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

Digital Edition