Category Archives: New schools

Bond Oversight Committee members receive program update, tour Barbara Jordan Career Center

The HISD Bond Oversight Committee got an up-close look at the new Barbara Jordan Career Center during their second quarter meeting Tuesday.  

Committee members made their way up the school’s modern learning stairs and through hallways filled with natural light and turquoise accent walls. The group took pictures along the way and tried on a simulator helmet in the welding classroom.   

The tour — led by Principal Ross McAlpine, HISD Construction Services Senior Manager Sizwe Lewis, and HISD Project Manager Zorana Marquez-Campos — made stops in the school’s health science classroom, and cosmetology, automotive and diesel, culinary, welding, and construction management labs.  

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2012 Bond Program nears completion

Almost seven years after Houston voters approved a $1.89 billion bond to replace and repair 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools, the 2012 Bond Program is coming to a close.  

Only four schools remain under active construction as part of their original scope of work – Northside, Lamar, Austin, and Bellaire high schools. 

“We’re excited about the work we’ve done over the summer,” Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “We’re proud of the 21st–century learning spaces we’ve created.” 

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Lamar HS construction reaches 80 percent completion

In 2017, Lamar High School celebrated its 80th anniversary with a groundbreaking ceremony. Now the school’s construction has reached nearly 80 percent completion, with doors of the school’s new academic building opening to students for the 2019-2020 school year.

Both painting and flooring in the gymnasium is underway along with the installation of first- and second-floor ceilings, culinary and dining equipment, and joining the new building addition’s HVAC to the existing facility.   

Phased renovations to the existing facility are also in progress and an enclosed second-story skybridge connecting the two buildings is set for completion in August. 

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Barbara Jordan Career Center celebrates grand opening with unique ribbon-cutting experience

Barbara Jordan Career Center rolled out the red carpet for guests on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of its new building.

The event was held in the school’s state-of-the-art welding center where students awed guests by welding through a brightly colored metal strip, which took the place of a traditional ceremonial ribbon.

“Moving to this new facility has energized adults and students alike,” Principal Ross McAlpine told guests. “Each day I witness teachers transforming their classrooms and labs into wonderful learning environments. And every day students approach me to let me know how much they enjoy the opportunities that Barbara Jordan offers them.”

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Arabic Immersion Magnet School relocating to former Kinder HSPVA campus

The Houston Independent School District’s Arabic Immersion Magnet School will relocate this summer to the former campus of Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts — a move designed to accommodate the school’s growing student population and transformation to a PK-8 campus.  

The new location, located at 4001 Stanford St., is just seven miles south of the original AIMS campus on West 28th Street in the Heights. The campus will provide a more central, neighborhood location while still maintaining proximity to the original campus. Additionally, the new building has space for the school to expand, including areas for fine arts, physical education, and a growing pre-kindergarten program. 

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Kinder HSPVA wins 2019 Landmark Award

The new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts building was named the winner of the Houston Business Journal 2019 Landmark Award this past week.

The annual award program recognizes impressive real estate projects that make a significant impression on the Houston landscape and help sculpt the look, feel, and image of the city.

“We love the new space,” Kinder HSPVA Principal Scott Allen said. “The building design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also incredibly functional, supporting our academic and arts programs.”

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Energy Institute HS receives architectural award, magazine cover feature

The new Energy Institute High School has been awarded the Citation of Excellence Award by Learning by Design, a magazine that recognizes the nation’s best new education school design and construction.

Energy Institute earned its award with innovative learning spaces designed to encourage project-based collaboration and communication and showcase students’ high-tech projects and presentations.

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Bellaire HS gathers to celebrate start of construction on new building

The sun shone brightly upon Bellaire High School students, staff, and community members Tuesday as they gathered for the long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony in honor of their new school.

“While the road has been challenging and the process arduous, I believe that we are now ready to build a school that exceeds our initial expectations and that will propel our students into the future,” Principal Michael McDonough said.

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Kinder HSPVA named 2019 Landmark Award finalist

The new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts building has been named a Houston Business Journal 2019 Landmark Award finalist.

The annual awards program recognizes impressive real estate projects that make a significant impression on the Houston landscape and help sculpt the look, feel, and image of the city.

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Lamar HS construction nears 70 percent completion

Driving down Westheimer Road near River Oaks, it’s easy to see progress on Lamar High School’s new building, as crews have surpassed the two-thirds mark and are on track to complete construction this summer.

The $122.9 million building was completely enclosed in January. Electrical wiring, ceiling grid, and drywall installation are in progress and HVAC installation is set to begin this week.

“I’m really pleased with the progress being made each day,” Project Manager Marvin Stone said. “It’s going to be a beautiful facility.”

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