North Forest HS construction edges closer to completion

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000WhZTCgasHBk” g_name=”20170516-NorthForest” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

The North Forest High School Bulldogs will have much to be excited about in 2018 as construction on their new building is 70 percent complete.

Installation of the building’s exterior windows are nearly complete, while painting, polishing of concrete, and hanging of drywall are ongoing, project officials said. Permanent power will be turned on this month, and HVAC units will be brought online.

“It’s going to be a beautiful campus,” North Forest Principal Richard Fernandez said, adding that he is eager for his students to see the school. “I can’t wait to see their reactions when they first walk into the new building.”

The new $59.5 million campus, which is being built on the east side of Mesa Road across from the existing school, will accommodate 1,300 to 1,500 students. It is funded by money provided by the state.

More information on the North Forest High School project

The 21st century high school will feature flexible learning spaces, a modern dining commons, and career training spaces, as well as plenty of windows that will provide plenty of natural lighting and showcase open views to the prairie in front of the building and the forest in back.

The school also will contain a unique indoor running track – a first of its kind in HISD.

The school is slated for completion during the fourth quarter of 2017, with doors opening to staff and students in January 2018.

North Forest High School is among roughly three dozen schools under active construction across the district, which is more activity than at any other time in in district history. Once all projects are complete, HISD will have one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the country.