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Eastwood Academy High School stakeholders gathered at the campus on Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new addition being built as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond program.

U.S. Congressman Gene Green, HISD Board of Education Trustee Diana Dávila, and HISD Chief School Officer Esther Omogbehin joined Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira and nearly 100 students, parents, staff, and community members who turned out to celebrate the milestone.

“We’ve been planning and looking forward to this day for a long time, so I’m incredibly excited to celebrate the groundbreaking and for construction to get underway,” Lira said. “Our students will have a modern setting and more flexible spaces, and that will enhance our strong academic programs.”

Eastwood is among 40 HISD campuses, including 29 high schools, being renovated or rebuilt as part of the 2012 Bond Program. Plans for the $10.9 million addition, which will connect to the school’s existing two-story classroom wing, feature a new student dining and multipurpose area, a career and technical education center, a library, and an athletics facility.

“Eastwood is such a spark in the area, so I’m so glad to see the expansion of it and the investment of bond dollars in the East End,” Green said.

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The new addition, which was designed by Prozign Architects and is being built by Patriot Contracting, has a target completion date of December 2017, followed by ongoing site development. Students will continue to attend classes in the existing building throughout construction.

“I truly believe that Eastwood Academy is the Gem of the East End,” said Dávila, who represents the school. “We’re seeing progress and growth academically. Eastwood students achieve high standards year after year, and now they’ll have a building to match.”

More information on the Eastwood Academy project

Construction is underway at nearly two dozen campuses across the district — more than at any other time in HISD history. Once all work is complete, HISD’s portfolio of urban high schools will be among the most modern in the nation.

“The new building is going to be amazing,” Eastwood Academy senior Senecia Reamo said during the groundbreaking event. “It’s going to create a great experience for students.”