Texas K–12 District Debuts Two New Schools for New School Year

The Manor Independent School District in Manor, Texas, recently celebrated two ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two new schools opening just in time for the 2023–24 academic year, according to a news release. The district partnered with program management firm HPM on the project, which was part of a $280-million bond program that local voters approved in 2019.

Manor Rise Academy covers 116,000 square feet and cost roughly $45 million. Amenities include athletic facilities with two gyms, a media center, three maker spaces and two art rooms, performing arts classrooms, and dedicated spaces for student collaboration, as well as playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces.

Manor Early College High School, meanwhile, covers 85,000 square feet and cost about $35.5 million. Built next to the district’s existing high school, the facility can accommodate up to 800 students in grades 9–12 and focus on CTE education. The school boasts an open-concept design that deliberately emulates a college campus and includes amenities like a student commons area, coffee shop, and cafeteria.

“Education projects require strict scheduling oversight to ensure an on-track completion by the start of the school year, and I am proud of our team at HPM for its dedication to an on-time delivery for Manor ISD,” said Ryan Austin, President of HPM. “We thank the school district for its invaluable support and collaboration during these projects, and to our partners for ensuring success in the construction of these schools. As we move ahead on additional projects with the school district, we look forward to providing more quality program management services as we expand our footprint further into Manor.”

The new schools were built in response to the area’s growing population. The news release reports that the town of Manor’s population has increased by 160% since 2010 and that the school district is expecting an extra 2,800 students over the next four years.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.

  • Arizona District Breaks Ground on Community Training, Learning Center

    The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) in Tolleson, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new Training & Learning Center (TLC) for both district professionals and the community at large, according to a news release. The 90,000-square-foot facility has an estimated completion date of spring 2027.

  • Architectural Power for the Modern Campus Landscape

    For generations, an outdoor classroom only required a textbook and a patch of grass. Today, not only has the laptop replaced the printed pages, the rise of agile learning has turned campuses into study halls with students listening to lectures and researching topics from quads, gardens, and plazas. The challenge for architects and facility managers is to provide connectivity without cluttering the landscape with visual eyesores or creating safety hazards with extension cords.