HISD to open six new school buildings

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The Houston Independent School District will open six new schools that were rebuilt as modern learning environments with flexible classrooms, increased access to technology, bursts of color, and plenty of natural light.

The six campuses – Condit and Mark White elementary schools, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, North Houston and South early college high schools, and Fonwood Early Childhood Center — will open their doors Monday, Aug. 22 for the 2016-2017 school year. The designs for each school place an emphasis on 21st century learning with centralized learning commons, courtyards, outdoor learning areas, and other seating nooks where students can gather to create and learn.

Also opening to students this fall is a new classroom wing at Worthing High School and a renovated main entry, band hall, first- and second-floor classrooms, offices and career education spaces at Waltrip High School.

All schools — with the exception of Fonwood Early Childhood Center — were funded by the district’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. The $1.89 billion program calls for the renovation or rebuilding of 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools. Construction is currently underway at 22 campuses — more activity than at any other time in district history. Once complete, the district will have one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the country.

“This summer has been a pivotal moment in the district’s bond program because not only are we moving more projects into construction, but we’re opening our first large group of schools,” said Interim Chief Operating Officer Lenny Schad.

In addition to the 29 high schools, the bond program also calls for the renovation or rebuilding of four elementary schools, two middle schools and four K-8 campuses. This fall, projects at Sterling Aviation High School and Delmar Fieldhouse are expected to be finished.

The bond program also includes $100 million in technology upgrades, $44.7 million to replace regional fieldhouses and improve athletics facilities, $35 million to renovate middle school restrooms, and $17.3 million for safety and security improvements.

Upcoming School Tours/Grand Openings

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, 10 a.m. (*Media Tour)

Condit Elementary School, 7000 South 3rd St., 77401

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, 2 p.m.

Worthing High School, 9215 Scott St., 77051

Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, 10 a.m.

North Houston Early College High School, 8001 Fulton St., 77022

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, 9 a.m.

South Early College High School, 1990 Airport Blvd., 77051