Groundbreaking ceremonies planned for Wilson Montessori, Energy Institute HS

Wilson Montessori and Energy Institute High School will hold groundbreaking ceremonies in November to celebrate the start of construction on their new buildings.

The Wilson Montessori event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 9 a.m. at their school campus, 2100 Yupon St. The Energy Institute event will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. at the site of their new location, 3501 Southmore Blvd.

Wilson Montessori is among 40 schools being renovated or rebuilt as part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program. The three-story, 90,000-square-foot addition will replace the temporary buildings on the school’s Montrose campus, and showcase a two-story library space designed with large exterior windows to help connect students to the outdoors. Other features include a new replacement dining area, flexible learning spaces, and a new bus loop that has a covered canopy for students.

More information on Wilson Montessori Project

Energy Institute High School, which opened in 2013 and is the first magnet school in the nation with a school-wide theme of energy, is being funded with non-bond sources. The new $37 million 110,000-square-foot-facility, to be located at the corner of Southmore and Tierwester streets, will feature a high-tech corporate design, with three main buildings and multi-level areas for work and projects. A central courtyard with cascading stairs and trellis will expand available space for socializing and learning, and will be visible from the entryway stairs.

More information on Energy Institute High School Project

HISD opened six new schools and three renovations or additions in 2016. By the end of the year, construction will be underway on nearly three dozen campuses — more than at any other time in the district’s history. Once all work is complete, HISD will boast of one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the nation.