HISD Breaking Ground on First New Schools of 2012 Bond Program

An excavator began doing site work this week for the new South Early College High School, marking the first new school to break ground within the 2012 bond program, which will build or renovate 40 schools across the city.

“We are very excited about this milestone,” said Superintendent Terry Grier. “With construction underway, we are one step closer to our goal of providing our students with 21st century schools that will prepare them for college and careers.”

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The new South Early College High School is being built on the south campus of Houston Community College as part of a collaboration between HCC and HISD. The school, currently housed on the campus of Jones High School, will be located on a 4.1-acre parcel off 1990 Airport Blvd. and will accommodate up to 400 students.

HISD students will take all their classes in the new school and will have the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree by taking college-level classes.  “By immersing our students in a college environment, we’ll better prepare them for the transition into higher education,” Dr. Grier said. “This new facility will open up a world of new opportunities for our students.”

Although South Early College High School is the first new school to get underway within the 2012 bond program, North Early College High School is also getting ready to break ground.

Site work for that new facility, located on HCC’s Northline campus at 8001 Fulton, is expected to begin as early as next week. That facility will also accommodate up to 400 students.
“We are excited to have these projects lead the way as we continue to work with all of our school communities to design and build student-centered 21st century schools throughout the district.” said HISD Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla.

Meanwhile, workers have set up safety fences and barricades and are finishing the removal of all furnishings and equipment at Delmar-Tusa Fieldhouse, located at 2020 Mangum Road, in anticipation of demolition beginning this year. The fieldhouse is set to be rebuilt under the 2012 bond program after voters approved spending $44.7 million to improve district athletic facilities.