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The OC Breaks Ground

By | Clients

The Keith Bell Opportunity Central is a 350,000 sf building that will bring career, college and community opportunities together in Forney ISD. Huckabee joined FISD and its partners to celebrate the groundbreaking in January 2022.

Nicknamed “The OC,” the building offers a new concept for career and college instruction that also engages the community through life-long learning, special events, wellness activities, business partnerships, innovative programs and so much more. The OC will serve Forney ISD students during school hours and remain open into the evening and weekends for college coursework, community activities and special events.

Huckabee helped Forney ISD imagine how this first-of-its-kind facility could accomplish a high degree of adaptability to meet the programmatic needs of its intended users. The opportunity to provide students with real-world experiences led to the inclusion of amenities such as eateries, retail and services that are supported by students. Flexible and technology-rich learning space supports a range of career and technical education programs, dual-credit programs and college coursework. FISD worked diligently with business and college partners—including Dallas College and Texas Tech University—to ensure the highest quality programs for its students.

Career and technology programs will include: automotive, construction technology, computer coding and e-sports, fine arts, entrepreneurship, fashion design, horticulture / floral design, digital arts and communication, marketing, health sciences, emergency services, cosmetology, early childhood education, hospitality, event planning, theater, visual and performing arts and music production, with more on the horizon.

Co-working space is located on the first floor while the second and third floors feature classrooms, labs and multi-purpose instructional space. An arena is located at the heart of the facility and features retractable seating on the first and second floors, along with instructional space on the third floor that overlooks the venue. It can be used for tournaments and sporting events, special events and banquets, and a range of academically-focused activities. A black box theater offers similar flexibility and converts into a small or large lecture hall.

Several spaces within The OC overlook or lead into the “front yard,” a green space that features a paved plaza, rolling hills and an outdoor event venue that spans across the road as part of a plaza that is shared with the nearby intermediate and middle school.

The OC will open in 2023. To learn more about the vision of this exciting new campus, click here.

2021 Caudill Class

By | Clients

Huckabee is excited to celebrate with our partners, Georgetown ISD and Northwest ISD, in receiving the highest honor for educational design in Texas – the Caudill Award! The TASA/TASB Exhibit of School Architecture competition showcases new and renovated Texas schools and celebrates excellence in planning and design of the learning environment. We are thrilled to have two Caudill award-winning projects in each of the past two years. It is in large part to our partnership with visionary districts who continue to influence school design and pursue the best environments for their students. Read more about the 2020-21 Caudill Award winners by clicking here.

The winning projects received at least four stars from six areas of distinction, making them eligible for the Caudill Award, which is named after Texas architect William Wayne Caudill (1914–1983), whose progressive concepts continue to influence school design.

Georgetown ISD won for the retrofitting of Tippit Middle School. This is the second Caudill Award for Georgetown ISD (Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning) and its third project to receive consideration (Wagner Middle School). Click here to learn more about the project. Northwest ISD won for the reimagining of its elementary prototype, Lance Thompson Elementary School. Click here to learn more about the project. 

Power Supers Blog

By | Clients

Superintendents have innumerable superpowers—mentoring and guiding aspirational leaders is one many of them share. Huckabee is excited to launch a new blog, Power Supers, that focuses on stories of fortitude, growth and inspiration. Dr. Jim Vaszauskas, a life-long educator and administrator, is helping us “travel” the state to visit with educational leaders and share their stories in hopes of uplifting others.

The first stories in the series feature Dr. Brad Lancaster, former superintendent of Lake Travis ISD, who shares about the importance of relationship building; and Dr. Marc Smith, whose focus on simplification and anticipation has helped him realize success as superintendent of Duncanville ISD. To read these, and follow along as new stories are posted, visit the blog at PowerSupers.com. 

2020 TASA / TASB Awards

By | Clients

Northwest ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Georgetown ISD have been recognized by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for their design and instructional vision. Their school designs received Stars of Distinction in this year’s TASA / TASB Exhibit of School Architecture; two of the schools, Lance Thompson Elementary School (Northwest ISD) and James Tippit Middle School (Georgetown ISD), also qualified for the prestigious Caudill Class.

The Exhibit of School Architecture awards are given at the discretion of a 12-member jury, which includes: four school board members, four school administrators, and four members from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Southern Region. The juried exhibit awarded Stars of Distinction for Excellence to 25 projects in one or more of the following six areas: design, value, sustainability, community, planning, and school transformation. Click below to view the submissions.

Stars of Distinction for each campus include:

Channelview Campus Branding

By | Clients

Huckabee worked with Channelview ISD on a district-wide rebranding process. By looking at the current brand and discussing what messages were important for the district to share, we helped create new logos and branding for each campus. Many stakeholders helped bring life to Channelview’s vision. Those involved felt that school pride, campus involvement and tradition were just a few of the positive results the new brands will foster. For more information on Huckabee’s environmental graphics and branding services, click here.

Cleveland ISD Prototype

By | Clients

Amidst uncertain and challenging times, Cleveland ISD has reason to celebrate! With the favorable pricing we are seeing in the construction market, the district was able to secure a solid, and under budget, bid for Elementary Campus #5. Huckabee is thrilled with the results and is looking forward to working with Cleveland ISD to deliver excellent value and an exceptional educational environment to their community. For the full story, click here.

The new elementary school is based on the prototype of Southside Elementary School in Cleveland (designed by Huckabee nearly 20 years ago). The team modernized the prototype and added a second story to increase capacity, while maintaining equity with existing schools. The 133,000 sf building will have a high-volume library centrally located on the first floor to allow easy access. Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades will be housed on the first floor with 3rd, 4th and 5th grades located on the second floor. The new elementary school will have a secure entrance vestibule designed to have all visitors enter the main administration area before entering the building.

To learn more about the favorable pricing conditions in the construction market and how school districts can take advantage over the next 6-12 months, check out our MORE Momentum: Construction Market episode here.

Midway ISD CTE Expansion

By | Clients

Midway ISD and Huckabee started design on a CTE expansion to Midway High School. The first charrette brought together students, teachers and district staff to share ideas and discuss program needs. The project centralizes CTE classrooms and labs into a more modern space. It will create opportunities for greater collaboration between programs and students, while also supporting long-term growth in CTE offerings. To read more, click here.

2019 Caudill Award Winners

By | Clients

Congratulations to Mansfield ISD and Georgetown ISD, recipients of the prestigious Caudill Award. Huckabee had the rewarding and exciting opportunity to help these districts express their vision through two unique facilities. The Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners (MISD) and the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning (GISD) are among four schools to earn the highest honor in this year’s competition. Each project received at least four Stars of Distinction in the Exhibit of School Architecture (EoSA), qualifying them for consideration in the Caudill class.

Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners

The new 54,340 sf early learning academy brings museum-level engagement to the school environment. Designed for 3- and 4-year olds, it is 100 percent hands-on learning. The school is arranged into four pods, each with four interactive learning experiences that are play-based but purposeful (each element ties into curriculum). The pods also contain a multi-use commons, outdoor courtyard and age-appropriate amenities.

Macro to micro, the design of the Jandrucko Academy draws on curiosity and a sense of community inherent in adults and children. While structured—from thoughtful adjacencies and symmetrical composition to well-defined curriculum—it embraces play, imagination and freedom for educators to design learning to suit personality. The school was holistically created, with the intent to impact students, teachers and the community while irreversibly changing the way early learning is expressed.

The project won four Stars of Distinction in the areas of Design, Community, Planning and School Transformation. To view the submission, click here.

Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning

The project is an adaptive re-use of a historic and iconic 1924 building. Formerly a high school, junior high and elementary school, today, it is Georgetown ISD’s administration building / center for leadership and learning. It focuses wholly on adult learning, redefining the look, feel and purpose of training space. The design is rooted in the district’s Learner Profile, emphasizing choice and voice. It draws on context and innovation, maintaining building integrity while creating progressive learning environments.

The Hammerlun Center was named in memory of Jerry Hammerlun, a long-time Georgetown community member and community leader. Jerry was passionate about mentoring future leaders and ensuring his community embraced the future while honoring the past. He played a critical role in the vision of the new administration building before his passing in June 2017

The project won five Stars of Distinction in the areas of Design, Value, Community, Planning and School Transformation. To view the submission, click here.

The EoSA is sponsored by Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards. It recognizes excellence in planning and design of the learning environment. The Caudill Award is named after Texas architect William Wayne Caudill (1914-1983). The architectural projects will be on display in the exhibit hall and the winners will be recognized at the 2020 TASA Midwinter Conference in Austin January 27-28.

Exhibit of School Architecture

By | Clients

Congratulations to Godley ISD, Rockwall ISD, Georgetown ISD and Mansfield ISD, your vision for four unique projects has been recognized through the TASA/TASB Exhibit of School Architecture awards! The awards program showcases new and renovated Texas schools and celebrates excellence in planning and design of learning environments. Projects are awarded Stars of Distinction in up to six categories for Design, Value, Sustainability, Community, Planning and School Transformation. Our client and firm award winners include:

Godley High School  |  Godley ISD

Star of Distinction in the Community category

Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy  |  Rockwall ISD

Star of Distinction in the School Transformation Category

Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners  |  Mansfield ISD

Caudill Class finalist, Star of Distinction in the Design, Community, Planning and School Transformation categories

Hammerlun Center for Leadership & Learning  |  Georgetown ISD

Caudill Class finalist, Star of Distinction in the Design, Value, Community, Planning and School Transformation categories

The Jandrucko Academy and the Hammerlun Center also ranked among the top six award winners and are eligible for the prestigious Caudill Class award, which will be announced in early 2020. Eligible projects include those that receive four or more Stars of Distinction.

Congratulations to our clients and project teams!

Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners

By | Clients

From life-sized animals to enchanting murals, the new Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners brings art, learning and play together for young students in Mansfield ISD.

The academy opened in January 2019 and serves eligible Pre-K students in Mansfield. Its campus mission statement and purpose “is to improve the school readiness of young children using creative, hands-on, interactive experiences within a research-based early childhood program.”

Every space in the academy is designed to create an experience for young learners. Rather than traditional classrooms, the academy is divided into four pods and sixteen distinct learning experiences. From the deep sea and the savanna to space and Wonderland, students are encouraged to explore new places and concepts—all while building literacy, numeracy and social skills.

“I feel like these experiences have brought learning to life for them,” one teacher at the academy commented.

Research has consistently associated higher student achievement and engagement with active learning. The academy provides ample opportunities for Pre-K students to dive into active learning through meaningful, age-appropriate experiences. Notably, the students get to enjoy these experiences every day—a feature that makes this school one-of-a-kind.

“I am honored by the opportunity we have to help transform the landscape of early childhood education. This facility is truly unique, and we are so excited about the possibilities and the future ahead for Mansfield ISD students.”

Chris Huckabee, AIA, Chief Executive Officer

The exterior of the school is modern yet blends seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood. Inside, the space is progressive. Flexible furniture and technology are used alongside interactive learning displays to promote excitement and interest in curriculum. The four themed pods (which house four learning experiences each) align along a main corridor. Pods also include multi-purpose space for activities, large-group collaboration, instruction and family-style dining.

In the short time since the academy opened, teachers have observed significant student progress.

“My students have learned vocabulary words that I never would have imagined,” one teacher remarked.

From counting to collaboration to fun new words, the Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners is preparing students for the future by providing highly-visual, engaging and exciting experiences every day.

GCCISD Tech Center Featured

By | Clients

Goose Creek CISD’s new technology center—completed in partnership with Huckabee—was recently featured in Civil Engineering, the Magazine of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The magazine’s article highlights the technology center’s unique design, which allows the building to withstand certain severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes. Goose Creek CISD is located just East of Houston, which like any city along the coast, is vulnerable to tropical weather.

The 2-story, 32,400 square foot technology center stores crucial district data and provides space for training and storage. A hardened, 2,000 square foot area within the building protects computer servers and can withstand wind speeds that are roughly equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane. Huckabee served as the architect and the structural engineer for this project. To read the full article, please click here.

Hammerlun Center Dedication

By | Clients

February 5 was a celebratory day for Georgetown ISD as they officially “opened” their new administration and training center in one of the district’s historic buildings. Huckabee team members joined the Georgetown community for a ribbon cutting, tours of the campus and one very special dedication.

GISD’s administration center is named after Jerry Hammerlun—an icon in the Georgetown community, a beloved former colleague of the Huckabee team and a fierce advocate for education. Jerry was passionate about mentoring future leaders and ensuring his community embraced the future while honoring the past. He played a critical role in the vision of the new administration building before his passing in June 2017.

Photo credit Jerrod Wittman, “The Bearded Wonder”

The Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning serves as home-base for more than 100 district employees. It is a collaborative and innovative learning space for educators, featuring office space plus a state-of-the-art professional development center that emphasizes flexibility, choice and collaboration. District employees have access to maker spaces, professional learning labs, planning rooms and more. Their space mimics those that are found in their schools.

From the start, GISD wanted to preserve the history of the building. The Hammerlun Center was built in 1924 and was the original home to Georgetown High School, later serving as the district’s middle school, and most recently, Williams Elementary School. Huckabee worked diligently to pay respect to the architecture of the period while reflecting the current culture of learning in GISD. The exterior remains largely unchanged while the interior blends a more industrial and professional aesthetic.

The opening of the Hammerlun Center represents the culmination of a years-long effort to redefine learning in Georgetown ISD. It’s a one-of-a-kind campus that is truly reflective of the way GISD wishes to engage students, educators and administrators within an exciting and supportive learning culture.

Photo credit Jerrod Wittman, “The Bearded Wonder”

LEsolutions Award

By | Clients

Huckabee and Georgetown ISD recently received a 2018 LEsolutions Planning and Design Award in the new learning category for George Wagner Middle School. The LEsolutions Planning and Design Awards recognize excellent learning environments that are the result of a thoughtful, thorough planning process. We are honored to receive this award and excited to share it with all the individuals who came together to make this project a reality.

Wagner Middle School was part of a district-wide initiative to redefine the Learner Profile for students in Georgetown ISD. Community members, teachers, students and other stakeholders engaged in meaningful dialogue through educational summits, surveys and interviews to arrive at a new Learner Profile—one that emphasized choice, customization and innovation.

The new Learner Profile ignited an exciting, highly-collaborative planning and design process. The team was fully invested, making sure everything about Wagner Middle School pointed back to the district’s vision of an innovative and inquisitive learner. As a result, the final design embodies a place of purpose and exploration, a place that gives students freedom and responsibility in choosing how they learn.

Within the school, academics are broken into three learning neighborhoods with movable glass walls in the classrooms for maximum flexibility. The campus features multiple collaboration zones—including a large learning stair in the cafeteria and commons—for teachers and students. Outdoor learning spaces, a makerspace and a video lab are just some of the ways students can experience learning and embrace creativity.

To read more and view Huckabee’s winning submission, click here.

About the LEsolutions Awards

The LEsolutions Awards recognize learning environments that positively impact learning and teaching and that inspire change and forward progress. The group behind these awards is the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), a non-profit whose sole mission is to improve the places where children learn. A4LE believes that great schools are the result of an interactive planning process, and the LEsolutions Awards highlight schools that came about through sound planning and skillful design.

AIA Honor Design Award

By | Clients

The new Godley High School received a 2018 American Institute of Architecture (AIA) Fort Worth Honor Design Award. AIA is an organization that represents the collective voice of architecture and advocates for a better built environment; AIA’s Awards recognize excellence in contemporary architecture and seek to highlight the ways in which buildings and spaces amaze, inspire and improve lives. Huckabee is proud to share this honor with the individuals who came together to envision Godley High School. We are grateful for Godley’s administration, students and community and their participation and enthusiasm surrounding the project.

Godley High School opened in Fall 2018 and supports a district-wide initiative to evolve educational delivery and create a cohesive learning experience. The design of the school centers around the Center for Learning & Innovation, a large core space that features a café, library, collaboration rooms with movable walls, a film room, learning stair and access to the outdoors. The school also wraps around the district stadium, creating a unique viewing experience for athletic events and allowing the school’s commons and outdoor courtyards to double as public-use space. Throughout GHS, engaging collegiate spaces and flexible elements empower students, emphasize choice and encourage collaborative learning. 

Wagner MS Caudill Class

By | Clients

George Wagner Middle School in Georgetown ISD was named a finalist for the Caudill Class, the highest honor awarded as part of the TASA / TASB Exhibit of School Architecture competition. The school received four Stars of Distinction in Design, Community, Planning and School Transformation. Within the same district, Purl Elementary School received three Stars of Distinction, situating GISD as the only school district with two recognitions for 2018-2019.

Wagner Middle School opened in 2017. It’s a beautiful and exciting campus that is playing a critical role in Georgetown ISD’s evolution toward choice, customization and innovation in instruction. The design was the result of a comprehensive planning process that unified ideas from school leaders, community members, students and educators. Huckabee is honored to share this incredible recognition with the many people who imagined what Wagner could become.

The configuration of the school emphasizes choice and shared learning. Academics are split into “dens” for 6th grade, STEM and humanities. Each den features classrooms, labs, flex space, a teacher design lab and outdoor patio. The district removed classroom ownership to support more collaborative and customized instruction, requiring the dens to be highly adaptable and suitable for use by multiple teachers with a variety of curriculum needs and student learning styles.

Dens surround a 2-story commons that brings learning, socialization, assembly and collaboration together into one space. The team prioritized transparency as a way to promote personal responsibility for students and passive supervision for teachers. They adopted a use for all common areas and corridors by using furniture to maximize space for learning.

Wagner Middle School is progressive not just in design, but in how educators approach instruction. The learning environment supports autonomy, trust, responsibility and a more project-based approach. The enthusiasm for learning is noticeable in the way students buzz around the building, accessing every nook and cranny to design their learning experience.

About the Exhibit of School Architecture

Wagner Middle School is one of four Huckabee projects to be recognized in the Exhibit of School Architecture competition. GISD’s Purl Elementary School also received multiple Stars of Distinction in the categories of Community, Planning and School Transformation. Fort Bend ISD’s James Patterson Elementary School and Kaufman ISD’s Kaufman High School received recognition for School Transformation.

The Exhibit of School Architecture awards are given at the discretion of a 12-member jury, which includes: four school board members, four administrators, two representatives from the Texas Society of Architects and two representatives from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). To be eligible for consideration for the 2018 Exhibit of School Architecture, projects had to be newly constructed or renovated public education facilities completed in the past five years.

About the Caudill Class

The Caudill Class is reserved for projects that received four or more Stars of Distinction. It is the TASA / TASB Exhibit of School Architecture’s highest recognition and is named after Texas architect William Wayne Caudill (1914–1983), whose progressive concepts continue to influence school design. Winners will be announced in January.

Exhibit of School Architecture

By | Clients

Huckabee is excited to announce that Fort Bend ISD’s James Patterson Elementary School, Kaufman ISD’s Kaufman High School, Georgetown ISD’s Annie Purl Elementary School and Georgetown ISD’s George Wagner Middle School received Stars of Distinction for the TASA / TASB Exhibit of School Architecture competition. It’s a recognition we are proud to share with our incredible partners! The awards highlight excellence in planning and design of learning environments.

Patterson Elementary School and Kaufman High School received recognition for School Transformation. Purl Elementary School received Stars of Distinction for Community, Planning and School Transformation. Wagner Middle School received the highest honor, being noted in the categories of Design, Community, Planning and School Transformation and qualifying for the prestigious Caudill Class. Notably, Georgetown ISD was the only school district to receive honors for multiple schools.

Finalists in the Caudill Class are selected based on receiving four or more Stars of Distinction. The award is the highest level of recognition for the competition and is named after influential Texas architect William Wayne Caudill (1914-1983). The winner will be announced in January.

About the Award-Winning Projects

Each of these schools was the result of a thoughtful planning and design process, and each feature unique attributes that inspire, excite and influence learning.

Patterson Elementary School in Fort Bend ISD is a LEED certified campus. The design creates a more engaging and collaborative space, where students and teachers break out of the classroom for instruction. “Learning pockets” are found throughout, from the 2-story library with flexible furniture, to bench seating in corridors, collab space in classroom wings and an outdoor garden and patio.

Kaufman High School underwent a complete transformation. Multiple buildings were brought under a single roof with unifying elements such as an open and collaborative bistro / library / commons. A new performing arts center, competition gymnasium and CTE wing established a more comprehensive campus. Notably, CTE programs were elevated with the inclusion of a state-of-the-art culinary kitchen, robotics labs and television studio.

The design of Purl Elementary School is inspired by the nearby town square. Classroom wings surround a high-volume commons in the same way storefronts surround the county courthouse, creating a central hub of activity. While interior finishes, furniture and function take a modern form, exterior detailing borrows from the aesthetic of the community’s historic buildings. This community-driven school also features a unique volunteer lab in the secure entry vestibule.

At Wagner Middle School, the configuration emphasizes choice and shared learning. Students have a home base in one of three “dens” for STEM, humanities and 6th grade. They have the ability to spill out from dens into collaborative workspace, outdoor space, the commons, corridors, a maker space and the library. Transparency is critical to the model, and the design of classrooms, teacher design labs and common areas emphasize sightlines and connectivity.

The award-winning projects, along with other projects submitted, will be displayed at the TASA / TASB Exhibit of School Architecture at the annual convention on Sept. 28-30 in Austin. To learn more, visit www.texasschoolarchitecture.org.

About the Exhibit of School Architecture

The Exhibit of School Architecture awards are given at the discretion of a 12-member jury, which includes: four school board members, four administrators, two representatives from the Texas Society of Architects and two representatives from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). To be eligible for consideration for the 2018 Exhibit of School Architecture, projects had to be newly constructed or renovated public education facilities completed in the past five years.

Godley High School Opens

By | Clients

On August 11, Godley High School officially opened its doors with a ribbon cutting and open house ceremony. This event provided an opportunity for community members to come together, celebrate the facility and walk the halls before the first day of school. At the event, GISD staff members expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the school, which will serve the community for years to come.

The new facility is a reflection of the district’s mission to empower students to lead. The flexible, adaptable environment at GHS gives students choice and creates more opportunities for imagination, collaboration and student-led learning. The epicenter of the school is the Center for Learning & Innovation, which features a café, library, collaboration rooms with movable walls, a film room, learning stair and access to the outdoors. This large, open area is reminiscent of a college environment and is designed to accommodate learning in a variety of contexts.

The design also features modern and flexible classrooms, labs and CTE spaces. Media and presentation spaces incorporate 21st century technology and comfortable seating. A vibrant weight room and gymnasium provide space for athletic activities. Outdoor courtyards and ample natural light support the collegiate feel. The high school is 120,000 sf total and can accommodate up to 700 students in grades 9-12. The school will support student learning and growth in a unique, engaging setting.

Longview ISD Montessori

By | Clients

Summer is here (pause for teacher applause) and the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy just finished its first year in their new building. Longview ISD’s new academy, with a 1,400 student capacity and area of 123,000 sq ft, is one of the largest public Montessori schools in the nation. It can accommodate district-wide Pre-K / K student population.

This academy has been very successful in its mission, which was to enhance and consolidate the Montessori educational delivery process and to create immediate classroom capacity in existing elementary schools. Before construction of the new academy, the Montessori education efforts of the district were spread throughout multiple campuses, with some campuses performing better than others. The centralized academy provided much needed equity and continuity while also freeing up space in other schools.

The academy was designed with the student’s learning experience in mind. 100 percent of classrooms have natural light, which saves on electricity costs, but more importantly, establishes a connection to nature for the students and staff. Many of the windows are installed at student height, providing play ledges for the students. The classes and corridors wrap around two large courtyards, which provide safe and secure outdoor learning. Every micro and macro design choice shows the prioritization and importance placed on the learning experience.

With many more years to come in the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy, the district’s and the students’ futures look bright.

Comal HS #4 Groundbreaking

By | Clients

Comal ISD and Huckabee broke ground on high school #4 last Thursday morning. The event was colored with excitement from school personnel, board members, community members and parents who have rallied for this project since before planning began. The school is sited in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, offsetting high student capacity at neighboring schools, as well as significantly decreasing the commute for many high school students living in the area.

The design of high school #4 is centered around adaptable and agile learning spaces. A commons area serves as the building’s central hub, which includes the library and the cafeteria. This area is adjacent to the performing arts center and can be closed off from the rest of the building to host community events as needed. A 2-story classroom wing featuring a tiered lecture hall and group break-out spaces lends itself to 21st century learning and collaboration. The campus is also equipped with a comprehensive athletics wing, fine arts wing and outdoor stadium. High school #4 will welcome its first class in the fall of 2020.

CTE Addition at Anna HS

By | Clients

Anna ISD and Huckabee developed a master plan for Anna High School to increase capacity and utilization, as well as support a more engaging environment for career and technology programs. The process encompassed a comprehensive review of program needs, site visits, interviews and collaborative meetings.

Phase 1 includes a new CTE wing and renovations to existing spaces, including administrative offices and a classroom conversion to a ninth grade wing. A new lecture hall / multi-purpose space features retractable seating; it is designed to be used as a tornado shelter if needed.

The new CTE addition is modern with a collegiate and professional feel. Programs include health science, art, media and broadcasting, and STEAM. A maker space was added as well. Exterior materials on the addition match those on the existing facility: red and cream color bricks with large expanses of glass to provide natural light and showcase learning. Notably, the design supports dynamic scheduling with the use of central teacher planning areas (TPA). Classrooms can be used during each period while teachers utilize TPAs for office space and collaboration. This maximizes square footage, efficiency and flexibility now and in the future.