New Construction

Texas district begins work on 1st new elementary in 68 years

New campus in the Highland Park district is the first step in a major overhaul of its school facilities.
June 24, 2016

For the first time in 68 years, the Highland Park (Texas) district has broken ground on a new elementary school.

The district says the school is scheduled to open in 2017 and initially will be used as swing space while the district replaces three aging elementary campuses—University Park, Bradfield and Hyer—between 2017 and 2020. In 2020-21, it will become Highland Park's fifth elementary.

The district is paying for the facilities upgrades with funds from a $361 million bond issue approved last year by voters.

The last time Highland Park broke ground for a elementary school was in 1948.

The new campus is designed to offer flexible learning spaces, a secluded outdoor classroom with a garden and classrooms averaging 800 square feet.

The district has about 7,000 students in four elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school and one high school.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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