Garden Oaks Montessori to finish out school year in new additions

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The Garden Oaks Montessori campus will be buzzing with activity over spring break, as construction wraps up on two additions and crews work to ensure the buildings are ready to welcome students on March 19.

Final interior touches are underway, and safety and lighting inspections are in progress. Furniture will be delivered in the coming days, and final cleaning and floor waxing will happen before spring break.

“It’s amazing to see everything coming together,” Garden Oaks Principal Lindsey Pollock said. “We’re looking forward to being all set up and ready to learn in the new space.”

The $30.8 million project, part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, includes a two-story addition and a three-story addition, as well as renovations to existing buildings.

The two-story addition will contain a new gym, administrative lobby with a secure check-in area, and additional classroom spaces. Connected via a covered walkway, the three-story addition will serve as a classroom wing with pre-kindergarten and kindergarten on the ground floor, fourth through sixth grade on the second floor, and seventh and eighth grade on the top floor. First through third grade will be housed in renovated classrooms in the original building.

Project Manager Jorge Huerta said he expects movers and construction services staff to be on site during spring break, helping finalize classroom set up in advance of opening day.

“It’s a tight schedule, but I’m confident that everything is falling into place,” Huerta said. “It’s a beautiful facility, and I know the Garden Oaks community is going to love it.”

Once students and staff have moved into the new additions, crews will begin the next phase of renovation work, which includes extensive remodeling of the three existing classroom buildings. This work is designed to provide the school with additional updated classrooms and science labs.

Renovations to the library, cafeteria, kitchen, and administrative offices are nearly complete. Construction is scheduled to finish in the third quarter of 2018, with additional site development wrapping up in the fourth quarter.

Active construction is underway on roughly two dozen campuses across the district. Half of all 2012 Bond projects are finished and open to students. Once all work is finished, HISD will boast of one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the country.

Follow @Build_HISD on Twitter for the latest construction updates on the 2012 Bond Program and school construction across the district.