Jennifer Wilson

Apr 11

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#LoveMySchoolDay #TxEdTuesday

By Jennifer Wilson | News

At Huckabee, we are advocates for education and life-long learning. As part of #TxEdTuesday’s #LoveMySchoolDay, we asked our employees to share their school memories and the impact education has had on their career, life and family. From elementary school to college, our team recognizes the shared hard work educators, coaches, friends and community put into our students each and every day.

Kerri Ranney
My two kids love learning! That love of learning is fostered at Raye McCoy Elementary School in Georgetown ISD. Go Bobcats!

Roberto Zuniga
I have three Coppell ISD graduates and one 9th grader. My graduates have gone to prime east coast private universities with almost full scholarships. Among the many opportunities that Coppell has given them, two of my kids have taken me to be the father, four times, of state champions and one made a proclamation on the floor of the Texas Senate. You’ve got to love public education!

Jennifer Brown
I am a proud graduate of Sherman High School in Sherman, Texas! Some of my favorite memories include Friday Night Lights in Bearcat Stadium where generations of my family watched and continue to watch football games, great teachers like Verna Sharer who taught me and my two baby sisters how to sew (sorry, Ms. Sharer—this didn’t stick), one-act play competitions and being voted “Most Likely to be Famous” and lifelong friendships that so easily pick up where we left off. I am so grateful for the commitment and selflessness of so many people along my learning journey who helped shape me into the person I am today. I love that I am able to give back in such a profound way through our work at Huckabee. Go Bearcats!

Kevin Billings
I grew up and went to school in the great state of Kansas. I am proud to say that I went to Washburn Rural HS. We had ‘Rural’ in our name because we had wheat fields beside the school and cattle in the field across the road. I love what I do because of my drafting teacher named Harold Bryan. I had taken all of the drafting courses my school had to offer, but he knew I wanted more. He used his own money and purchased a simple CAD program for me. We acquired a computer from another teacher and started the CAD drafting program. We developed a class syllabus, and I was the first person in my high school to receive credits for a CAD class. He did not know the software, so part of my grade was to help teach him. This happened because a teacher could see my passion and love for drafting. Today there is an entire CAD lab with over 20 computers dedicated to CAD, 3D and design software in my alma mater. Thank you Mr. Bryan for teaching me that the ‘best’ way between two points is not always a straight line. Take the curves and enjoy life! Auburn-Washburn Unified School District #437, Topeka, Kansas

Emmie Bennett
Proud to be a product of the Texas Public Education system, specifically Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. I was a Kent Cardinal, a Rainwater Hurricane, a Blalack Bear and finished as a Creekview Mustang. I associate each school with each mascot because athletics was my guiding light. However, I’ve always known my career was going to be in art. I had the same art teacher in elementary school and then again during high school. I owe everything to Mr. Bob Thomas, who sat at his desk with art books and artwork stacked so high he had to stand up to see us.

Bergen Hashemian
I attended public schools all throughout K-12, starting off in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and finishing n Carroll ISD. What I loved most about my school district was not only did the teachers push students to achieve their full potential and provide us with the opportunities to do so, but as a community, we all came together to support our football team!

Katie Bevan
I am SO PROUD of my Texas education. I went to public schools in Richardson ISD from K-12, and I loved every minute of it. We had amazing teachers and great opportunities. In high school I was part of a magnet as well as an internship program—all preparing me for the real world! Go Eagles!

Josh Brown
I am a proud graduate of Pottsboro High School. Getting the privilege to attend a small-town public school made me who I am today. From the teachers and coaches who tirelessly invested in our success as young men and women, the victories and heartache experienced with my teammates in sports, the relationships developed with those in the community. . . I will forever be humbled by those who invested in a young kid and continued to motivate and challenge me to get better each day, to believe that I could accomplish absolutely anything with proper preparation, and to help me understand that failing forward was a good thing.

Markita Richardson
“Education is a passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X. I am PROUD to be a product of the Texas Public Education System. I started off as a Lakeview Viking, then became a Sugarland Titan and to end it all, a Kempner Cougar! What I loved most about attending these schools was not only did I make lifelong friendships with great people, but I had passionate teachers who went above and beyond to push their students to achieve their full potential.

Mar 03

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Huckabee presenting at SXSWedu

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Kerri Ranney, Huckabee’s Director of Learning & Strategic Development, and Konrad Judd, our Director of Design, are slated to present at SXSWedu 2017. Their topic, “Planning and Designing Learning Experiences” explores the planning and design process and its value on the development of learning environments that meet the needs of students and educators. It will cover important topics about the future of education and the roles of both students and educators in that shift. In addition, it will include the many layers of student choice and its impact on the overall learning experience.

The presentation will take place at 5 PM on Wednesday, March 8 at the JW Marriott in Austin in Salon C.

Kerri and Konrad are working with school districts to design some of the most progressive learning environments in Texas. They are helping clients meet the needs of 21st century learners and educators, as well as contributing to research at the classroom level that explores agility in education.

Mar 01

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Huckabee presenting at TASBO

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Huckabee joins Granbury ISD to present “Furniture as a Learning Tool: Drawing Inspiration Beyond Education” at this year’s TASBO conference. The presentation will take place at 10:15 AM on March 2 at the Austin Convention Center. Our speakers include Amy Wood, Director of Technology Granbury ISD; Konrad Judd, our Director of Design; and Tami O’Neal, our Furniture Coordinator and Interior Designer.

Furniture as a Learning Tool: Drawing Inspiration Beyond Education

Furniture can make or break a learning environment. Its selection and use is key to creating an environment that engages learners, supports the profession of teaching and informs the use of the space. Looking beyond a traditional K-12 catalog, and seeking inspiration outside of education, increases value for students and teachers.

In Granbury ISD, the district used this approach to create huge impact for a major reconstruction of their high school—utilizing furniture and design to increase capacity, inspire collaboration, improve the professional environment for teachers and maximize the experience for students.

The district and design team discuss their approach and how they leveraged furniture and design choices as part of the renovation to deliver a 21st century educational environment for under $50 million.

Feb 03

4

A Golden Anniversary

By Jennifer Wilson | News

In 2017, Huckabee commemorates our 50th anniversary. We have proudly served Texas students, educators and communities for five decades. Our legacy is one we are honored to uphold.

We have a year of celebrations planned, and we look forward to the opportunity to reflect on the people, projects and moments that shaped our firm. Follow along at www.Huckabee50.com or #50more on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

From our roots as a small architecture firm in West Texas, to being named the #1 educational design firm in the state, it’s been an incredible journey. Here’s to 50 more years … we’re just getting started!

A FOUNDATION OF INTEGRITY

Fifty years ago, Tommie Huckabee saw an opportunity to bridge the gap in the architect and contractor relationship. He grew up working with his father, a general contractor, and knew the importance of a solid set of construction documents. As a result, he believed he owed it to his clients to do detailed drawings that bid more accurately and delivered more value. In 1967, Tommie and his colleague, Herman Riherd, opened Riherd & Huckabee in Andrews and Lubbock, Texas. The philosophy that inspired their vision is the foundation for what we still believe today—above all else: quality, integrity and service.

From the beginning, our work focused on education. We primarily served West Texas school districts, earning a reputation for excellence in the region. One of our first projects was a new gymnasium for Denver City ISD. More work followed, with Huckabee schools popping up across the plains. At the time, Riherd & Huckabee was designing some of the most innovative facilities in the region, including a new middle school for Andrews ISD that had a planetarium, three gymnasiums and an open concept learning environment. Another project, in Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD, was one of Tommie’s favorites; it was selected in 1976 to exhibit at an International Design Competition in Basel, Switzerland.

In the mid-70s, Riherd retired, and a new partner, Larry Donham, joined Tommie. Huckabee & Donham had 10 employees. For the next 15 years, they continued to build the firm’s legacy. During this time, Tommie opened an office in Stephenville, where the firm relocated after Donham’s retirement.

In 1989, Huckabee was short-listed in Mansfield ISD. The district was small, and they were looking for a partner to grow with. Huckabee fit the bill, and we kicked off a 28-year relationship that has resulted in more than $1.75 billion in school projects. It was one of the most significant moments for our firm. Today, Mansfield ISD serves more than 33,000 students. Their legacy is one we are proud to share.

In 1990, we became Huckabee & Associates. Tommie’s son, Chris Huckabee, graduated from Texas Tech University and joined the firm.

Chris had learned from the best. In second grade he attended his first board meeting with his father. Soon after, he started riding along to visit construction sites and meet with clients whenever the opportunity arose. He was entrenched in Huckabee, and when graduation came, eager to make his mark and work alongside Tommie.

A VISIONARY FUTURE

In 1995, Chris opened an office in Fort Worth, another significant move for Huckabee. It provided more opportunities for the firm to compete in a larger market. In 2000, Tommie passed the torch to Chris, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a foundation that continues to sustain us.

Over the next nine years, Huckabee focused on the work, establishing a presence in new markets to the east, north and south. We developed new relationships and started working with school districts that remain our partners today.

When the recession hit in 2009, we doubled down on our commitment to Texas education. Huckabee invested in hiring talented leaders in the educational design field. We diversified our offerings and focused on being a trusted advisor for our clients. We took the time to reflect on our role in education and work with school districts to develop comprehensive plans for the future. We embodied the concept of being “More than Architects,” a vision that allowed us to do more, be more and give more to our clients. It was a defining moment for Huckabee, and it led to an incredible period of growth.

By 2011, Huckabee started expanding. We opened offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Notably, we also opened the Learning Experience Laboratories (LEx Labs) in partnership with ESC Region 12 at Baylor University. LEx Labs is an educational research center and test lab used by Huckabee, our clients and the university to explore 21st century classrooms and learning spaces. As education moves toward project-based learning and creating authenticity in the learning experience, we are standing beside Texas schools and helping lead the way for incredible facilities. LEx Labs represents this commitment, and it’s our way of investing in research and training that supports long-term student engagement and performance.

In 2016, on the eve of our 50th anniversary, Huckabee was named the #1 educational design firm in Texas by Engineering News Record. The recognition was a testament to our employees, clients and our commitment to education. Today, we have over 200 employees across the state, with more than 3,500 educational projects under our cap. We have worked with more than 150 school districts in the last few decades alone, and impacted thousands of students and educators throughout our shared journey.

Now in our 50th year, Huckabee still stands for the values that Tommie instilled: quality, integrity and service. We still stand for education and the success of all students. And we still strive to be more every single day, because education is worth it and our kids deserve it. As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we can’t help but look forward to 50 more years.

It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re just getting started.

Jan 14

0

West ISD Film in New Markets

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

A Bright Future: West ISD Rises Up has been picked up in Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The documentary follows the story of West ISD, from the 2013 explosion that devastated the school district’s facilities and much of the town, to the day the new high school / middle school opened in 2016. It is narrated by five students who share their experiences, memories and hopes for the future.

New airdates include:

Houston: KHOU 11 at 4 PM on Jan. 15 (part I) and 3 PM on Jan. 22 (part II)
Austin: KVUE at 2 PM on Feb. 19 (part I and II)
San Antonio: KCWX Channel 2 at noon on Feb. 12 (part I and II) and 4 PM on March 11 (part I and II)

For more information visit www.restorewestisd.com or www.facebook.com/restorewestisd. To see behind-the-scenes and additional footage from the documentary, click here.

Jan 09

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Investing in a Better Texas

By Jennifer Wilson | News

The realities of school funding, needs and debt are complex. To shed light on the necessity of debt in the financial management of our schools, Huckabee researched and developed a report entitled, “Investing in a Better Texas.”

The report light-heartedly explains the multi-layered topic of public school finance. It demonstrates that the revenue generated by the federal government, state government and local communities is not enough to meet the needs of the more than 5 million students in the Texas public school system. The report also touches on how Texas’ funding structure makes it difficult for our fastest growing school districts to utilize debt effectively, further compounding their challenges to providing a quality education to every student.

Click here to download, “Investing in a Better Texas,” and its companion report, “Texas Schools Aren’t Average,” also published by Huckabee.

Dec 08

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Best Companies to Work For

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Huckabee is more than a workplace. Our work community means many things to many people—from opportunity, integrity and growth to friendship, family and fun. It’s why we’re excited to be named to FWinc’s 2016 Best Companies to Work For! Of the many things Huckabee employees noted about why it’s an excellent place to work: our barista, our coffee, our employee events coordinator, our focus on professional development and growth, our culture of excellence, our wellness program, our team building activities and our mission. Click here to read to the story. And visit our careers page to learn more about opportunities at Huckabee.

Oct 27

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New Godley High School

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

Adaptability is a key theme in the design of Godley ISD’s new high school. Inspired by a college campus, the central feature of the facility is a grand Center for Learning & Innovation (CLI) that blends learning, social and civic use into an open-concept, adaptable space. The CLI features a café, library, collaboration rooms with movable walls, a film room, learning stair and access to the outdoors. It creates a mash-up of spaces that can be utilized in infinitely possible ways to customize the learning experience.

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The new high school is designed to provide a variety of spaces for students to learn, with the goal of utilizing each space to its fullest potential and maximizing the educational benefit for our students. When students walk in on day one, they’ll experience a space unlike anything they’ve seen. It will set the stage for the type of collaborative learning you see on college campuses and in the workforce.
Dr. Rich DearSuperintendent, Godley ISD

The school will be designed in phases, with Phase 1 focused on core components and academics. The CLI is the epicenter of the school, which also includes a 3-story academic wing and athletic support spaces. Next to the CLI, an outdoor courtyard features benches and a projection screen, reinforcing concepts of community and social learning. On the north side, a second story deck overlooks the football stadium—a design choice inspired by collegiate stadiums. It too is adaptable, and GISD can purpose it for learning, social, athletic and public use.

The new school adjoins the current facility, which will be repurposed into a middle school. The close proximity of the high school and middle school campuses will increase schedule flexibility and academic opportunities. The schools will create a shared campus connected with pedestrian walkways. Phase 2 of the high school includes the addition of fine arts, CTE, a competition gymnasium, a performing arts center and expansion of athletics.

Godley High School will support 700 students in grades 9-12. Planning an innovative design within the budget of $28 million required thoughtful use of space, as well as careful consideration of how to phase the project to take advantage of available facilities and amenities. It also required a team approach, tested when the district and Huckabee were faced with an unanticipated budget challenge: following a successful bond program, preliminary projections for tax revenue were lower than anticipated—a result of a decline in natural gas mineral property taxes (a large percent of the tax base is rooted in the natural gas mineral industry).

The team immediately worked with the construction manager to create a priority list and alternates that would frame the budget, successfully bringing an incredible facility within the new cost parameters. They focused on creating spaces that had multi-purpose uses, such as a CLI, outdoor learning courtyard and presentation rooms purposed for academic, athletic and community needs. The connection between the stadium and learning space also supported multi-functional use. This focus on adaptability minimized inefficiencies in the program and maximized budget.

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When the anticipated budget for the new campus declined, it took a team effort to bring costs back into alignment with the district’s educational goals. That’s Huckabee’s strength, working with clients and partners to collaboratively develop solutions that meet educational needs, budget goals and ultimately benefit students, the community and taxpayers.
Josh BrownHuckabee

At 120,000 sf, the new Godley High School is an innovative and engaging space that will support district growth—in enrollment and educational delivery—for decades to come. It’s a project that will change the community and support its development into a destination district while also providing interactive, real-world experiences for students. The campus is set to open in 2018.

Oct 19

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A Bright Future: West Rises Up

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

“What I’ve learned is we could teach inside a cardboard box…learning can take place anywhere. And what I’ve learned about our kids is they’ll respond if we’re truly doing our best to engage them,” said David Truitt, West ISD Superintendent in the new documentary, A Bright Future: West Rises Up.

The documentary follows the story of five students, following the 2013 explosion that devastated West ISD’s school buildings and much of the town. Through their eyes, it tells the story of the community’s resilience in the aftermath of the disaster, leading up to the opening of the new schools this past August.

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We’ve got a lot of people in our district and our town who didn’t let tragedy keep them from succeeding. We’re excited for this film to tell their story in such a memorable way.
David TruittSuperintendent, West ISD

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You’ll see captivating images showing the damage to the old schools and the beauty of the new educational spaces, but this isn’t actually a story about buildings. It’s a story about resourceful, resilient people.
Rush OlsonDirector, A Bright Future: West Rises Up

The film will make its broadcast debut on KWKT FOX 44 (Waco-Bryan-College Station) on Thursday, October 20 at 9:30 PM, with hour two running the following evening at the same time. The station will run both hours back-to-back on October 21 from 4-6 PM; sister station KYLE Y28 will air the film on October 22 from 7-9 PM. The documentary will be shown in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on November 26 at 11 AM and November 27 at 7 AM. Additional airings will be announced.

Rush Olson, of FourNine Productions and Rush Olson Creative & Sports, and director of photography/editor Dave French of Ludisian Legion Entertainment have gathered interviews and footage for more than three years. Their finished film includes stories of getting children back to school 100 hours after the explosion, years spent on a campus consisting entirely of portable buildings and some remarkable athletic and academic achievements. Being, at its heart, a story about learners, the filmmakers felt the choice of narrators should reflect its essence.

The students’ voiceovers will accompany interviews with numerous others connected to the story. Follow the story of West ISD at www.restorewestisd.com or www.facebook.com/restorewestisd.

Sep 02

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Lake Creek HS Groundbreaking

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

Lake Creek High School broke ground on Thursday, kicking off construction of Montgomery ISD’s second high school campus. The facility will open in 2018, blending secondary education with a collegiate and professional feel that supports engaging interactions and real-world experiences.

The campus is designed along a “main street corridor” that connects the media center / library and academic wing to public core components including fine arts, athletics and CTE programs. Academic wings are grouped in a flexible arrangement that support multi-disciplinary programming. A modern materials palette combines limestone, brick, metal panels, large expanses of glass and engineered wood veneer.

Click here to read more about the groundbreaking ceremony and the project.

Sep 01

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Child-Centered Learning

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Kerri Ranney, Huckabee’s Director of Learning & Strategic Development, talks about child centered learning and empowering educators in a recent guest column in School Planning and Management magazine.

“In architectural design, we follow the foundational concept that form follows function, believing that instructional environments are most successful when approached methodically, as opposed to delivering a one-size-fits-all learning space. As customizable learning experiences come to prominence, more focus than ever is being put on child-centered learning philosophies, in which multiple pedagogies and diverse learning needs are used to inspire educational design.

However, focusing solely on the child-learner often misses a key opportunity: the professional development of educators. As educational facilities continue to evolve, expanding the planning and design conversation to include educator development and space needs will impart far greater success in the classroom, for educators and students alike.”

Click here to read the full article.

Aug 20

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First Look at West HS / MS

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

West ISD’s new High School / Middle School opens Wednesday. . . a special moment for a community that has been waiting for a new building to call home after losing theirs in 2013.

The school was designed with a civic-inspired architecture, a representation of how central it is to the community. It features two distinct academic wings (for middle school and high school); an open-concept commons, dining hall and competition gymnasium; two Learning Resource Centers complete with learning stairs and second story break-out rooms; and collaborative learning space that connects classrooms with an open and flexible layout.

West High School / Middle School serves up to 1,000 students in grades 6-12. It is one of 10 new Huckabee-designed schools that open in August 2016.

Aug 18

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Westpark Primed for Day One

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

The new Westpark Elementary School opens on Monday, marking a celebratory day for students and families within the Benbrook and Fort Worth ISD communities. The campus replaces an aging facility and provides students with a modern space that is light and bright with large classrooms, an outdoor learning courtyard and an engaging library / media center.

The media center features flexible furniture and a large window seat (stretching the length of the wall) for small-group and large-group instruction. An outdoor learning courtyard expands the classroom and contains playground equipment as well as space for countless learning, gathering and play opportunities.

The 80,000 sf school was designed to support traditional and project-based instruction; it serves students in pre-K through 5th grade. Westpark Elementary School is one of 10 new Huckabee-designed schools that open in August 2016.

Jul 26

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BD+C: #25 in Giants 300

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Building Design + Construction magazine released the 2016 Giants 300 Report, naming Huckabee #3 K-12 School Sector Architecture Firm and #25 Architecture / Engineering Firm in the nation. Of those recognized, Huckabee is one of the only firms that exclusively serves Texas educational clients. The annual list is determined based on market-sector revenue, BIM revenue, green building work and other criteria. It represents the largest and most innovative firms in the architecture, engineering and construction fields.

The publication also featured Kerri Ranney and LEx Labs, Huckabee’s educational research lab, in an article about the future of K-12 educational design. To read more, click here.

Jun 19

0

#1 Educational Design Firm

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana named Huckabee its 2016 Design Firm of the Year, “…for its commitment to employees, clients and enhancing learning environments across the state, as well as its dedication to the community.” Click here to read more. Huckabee also received the top nod as the #1 Educational Design Firm. Click here to see the lists.

May 26

0

Lancaster ISD Breaks Ground

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

Huckabee joined Lancaster ISD to break ground on two new elementary schools this week. The campuses, West Main and Pleasant Run, will replace existing buildings to help LISD move forward with 21st-century educational environments and improved safety and security. Each building will feature multiple outdoor learning courtyards; “Interactive Learning Labs” with makerspaces and writable surfaces; expansive libraries with flexible furniture; windowed corridors to support “learning on display”; natural daylighting; and multi-purpose gymnasiums which also serve as ICC-500 tornado shelters for increased safety. The schools will open in 2017.

May 23

0

Re-building Marshall ISD

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

Huckabee and Marshall ISD are building a legacy for more than 5,500 students in Marshall, Texas. A groundbreaking ceremony last week marked a major milestone in a years-long effort to bring new facilities and much-needed improvements to the district. The community came together to kick off construction of four new campuses and to celebrate their shared investment in the future of Marshall’s kids.

After a failed bond program in 2014, Marshall ISD asked Huckabee to join the team in hopes of creating a successful bond program for the following year. Community input was key, and Huckabee facilitated discussions with community members to develop a plan to address aging conditions and expand the learning environment to meet the needs of 21st century education. The result was a plan that would re-align grade levels, bring four new schools on-board and consolidate or re-purpose multiple campuses. The $109 million bond referendum passed with 57 percent approval in May 2015.

In his speech to the community during the groundbreaking ceremony, Marshall ISD trustee Chase Palmer said, “We have finally figured out that in order to be successful, we must invest in our kids and our town.”

Three new elementary schools (82,000 sf per) will be constructed on existing sites, with demolition taking place following construction. A new junior high school replaces a building that was constructed in 1924; it was originally used as the high school before being re-purposed in the 1980s as the junior high school. The new 182,000 sf facility will serve 1,300 students in grades 6-8.

May 10

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ENR: Design Firm of the Year

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Engineering News Record Texas & Louisiana named Huckabee its 2016 Design Firm of the Year. Huckabee jumped nearly 150 spots in this year’s ENR Top 500 Design Firms to land at No. 213 on the list. Huckabee will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017 and has experienced exponential growth since the firm opened in 1967. Notably, in the past five years, Huckabee has opened multiple offices in thriving live / work / play communities, recruited the best of the best in educational planning and design and expanded service offerings to provide clients with a more holistic approach to designing the learning environment.

Huckabee will be featured in the June 13 edition of ENR Texas & Louisiana. Click here to read more.

Apr 28

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ENR: #213 on the Top 500

By Jennifer Wilson | News

Huckabee jumped nearly 150 spots to place 213 on Engineering News Record’s 2016 Top 500 Design Firms. The list ranks firms across the nation based on design services revenue. Over the past few years, Huckabee has experienced record growth, increasing its services, staff and local office presence across the state of Texas. Notably in 2015, Huckabee opened a new corporate office in downtown Fort Worth, relocated offices in Houston and Austin into larger spaces (in thriving live / work / play communities) and opened a new office in San Antonio.

Huckabee’s reputation as a leader in learning environments and as a trusted advisor is the driving force behind the firm’s substantial growth. Huckabee has exclusively served educational clients for 49 years, and continues to provide exceptional service, innovative solutions and a client-centric approach for each and every project. Click here to view the full list of ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms.

Mar 22

1

WISD Breaks Ground on MS

By Jennifer Wilson | Clients

Construction of Shirley Hall Middle School is underway! Huckabee and Weatherford ISD broke ground this month on the project, which will help the district address aging conditions in the 49-year old school, as well as provide much needed space and technology for the growing student population. The new middle school—which will open in 2017—is one of several projects in a $74.9 million bond program. Huckabee is also working with the district to design a 6th grade addition to Tison Middle School and address district-wide improvements to facilities, safety and security.

The new middle school features a flexible and efficient environment that supports 21st century instruction, collaboration and school-wide learning. Three grade-level neighborhoods offer access to classrooms, collaboration zones, outdoor learning space and a collective teacher work area to encourage formal and impromptu interactions. Throughout the campus, natural daylighting, clerestories and borrowed light in interior spaces is utilized to create a bright and open feel, as well as support learning on display and exceptional supervision into each space.

Shirley Hall carpool lane Huckabee Texas

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