Category Archives: 21st century schools

Condit ES celebrates grand opening of new school during Leadership Day

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The Condit Elementary School community gathered Thursday to celebrate the formal grand opening of their first new facility in almost a century.

Constructed as part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, the 83,000-square-foot school features a centralized learning commons surrounded by a two-story cluster of classrooms, an open-concept design with bright colors, curved walls with seating nooks, and plenty of natural light throughout. Continue reading →

Mark White ES holds grand opening ceremony 

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At the grand opening celebration of the school that bears his name, Gov. Mark White acknowledged the significance of having new building dedicated in his honor.

“It’s exciting. But what gets me so thrilled is looking at the faces of the children who go to Mark White Elementary,” he said. “It’s going to be an exciting place for children to come and learn.”

Nearly 250 people shared in his enthusiasm on Tuesday as they crowded into the new cafeteria to attend the official grand opening ceremony for Mark White Elementary School — one of first six schools completed under the 2012 Bond Program.

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Grand openings planned this week for Mark White, Condit elementary schools

Mark White and Condit elementary schools will hold grand opening ceremonies this week to celebrate and showcase their new facilities, which were constructed as part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program.

The two new schools were among the first 2012 bond projects to be completed, opening their doors to students in time for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

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White House spotlights HISD classroom computer science efforts

The Houston Independent School District’s efforts to increase the number of teachers trained in computer science and to immerse all students in computer programming from elementary to high school have earned the White House’s attention.

The White House computer science fact sheet outlines President Barack Obama’s plan to give all students across the country the chance to learn computer science in school. The fact sheet titled A Year of Action Supporting Computer Science Education for All (#CSForAll) shows the progress various states have made in computer science by adopting higher standards to better prepare students for success in careers and college since the initiative first launched in January.

The factsheet highlights HISD for its plans to double the number of computer science certified teachers over the next two academic years; expand advanced computer science courses by offering Advanced Placement computer science programming and computer science courses at 38 HISD high schools by the end of the 2017 school year; and adopt computer science standards that will provide for teaching computational thinking skills to 215,000 HISD students in grades pre-K to 12. Continue reading →

Lamar HS nearing start of construction

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The initial construction phase for Lamar High School is expected to get underway this month after the district approves the project’s Guaranteed Maximum Price and issues a “Notice-to-Proceed” to the construction manager-at-risk, Gilbane Construction.

This first phase of construction — dubbed “Phase 0” — will focus on re-routing underground utilities, relocating the central utility plant, and demolishing a small portion of the current building that stands in the footprint of the new construction. Some street parking and athletics activities will be impacted.

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Robots break ground on new Energy Institute High School

HISD’s Energy Institute High School held a high-tech groundbreaking on Saturday as student-built robots took the lead, turning over dirt alongside school and district officials to formally mark the start of construction on their new school. 

The planned 110,000-square-foot building, located at 3501 Southmore Blvd., will mimic the look of a high-tech corporate environment and house the first energy-themed high school in the nation. 

”This project has been a labor of love,” Principal Lori Lambropoulos said of the new building. “This school is the first one of its kind in the nation. We’re making history in the area of corporate involvement, and we’ve made it our mission to attract students that really want a career in the energy industry.”  Continue reading →

Wilson Montessori breaks ground on new addition

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition and renovations at Wilson Montessori School on Tuesday had all the usual celebratory elements from the obligatory shovels and hard hats to a distinguished list of speakers.

But Principal Beth Bonnette turned the morning into a teachable moment for the school’s more than 500 students when she challenged them to be part of history by contributing to a time capsule that will be placed within the walls of the new building.

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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. Continue reading →

Construction on new North Forest High School reaches halfway point

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Construction on the new North Forest High School, located on the city’s northeast side, is now 50 percent complete and scheduled to be finished in the third quarter of 2017.

“The project has really gained momentum over the last quarter,” said HISD Senior Manager of Construction Services Meredith Smith, who is overseeing the project. “We’re right at the half-way point now, and there’s lots of activity on the site. We’re seeing progress every day.”

The new $59.5 million campus, which is being built on the east side of Mesa Road across from the existing school, will accommodate 1,500 students. Continue reading →

Sharpstown-area bond construction on track for fall 2017 completion

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Construction on both Sharpstown High School (SHS) and Sharpstown International School (SIS), located on the city’s southwest side, is progressing well and expected to be complete in the third quarter of next year.

The schools are part of HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program approved by Houston voters in 2012, which will rebuild or renovate 40 schools, including 29 high schools. Once complete, HISD will have one of the most modern portfolios of urban high schools in the country.

SHS is receiving a new $55 million building designed to accommodate 1,500 students. Currently, steel columns and beams are being erected on the site and a portion of the roof has been installed. In December, the building is expected to be fully dried-in. Continue reading →