DALLAS ISD

Longfellow Career Exploration Academy

Huckabee collaborated with Dallas ISD to build an exciting new learning environment. Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy is a magnet school for 6th to 8th grade students. The application-based program offers career pathways and academics with a focus on collaborative learning, challenging curriculum and critical thinking. Pathways include Business; Law and Justice; Culinary Arts; Arts and A/V Technology; Project Lead the Way; and Career / College Readiness.

Longfellow is a replacement campus on the same site within an urban neighborhood. The community was highly engaged in determining the direction and design of the campus. Huckabee created a plan that would allow the existing school to remain in session while construction took place adjacent. Upon completion, the existing structure will be demolished and replaced with parking and activity spaces for enrichment. To accommodate the phasing plan and desired program adjacencies on the 9-acre site, Longfellow features 3-story, 2-story and single-story components.

Notably, Longfellow is designed to meet CHPS standards. It also incorporates a great deal of outdoor learning environments. Environmental graphics will be used throughout to tie sustainable initiatives to learning. Other features include a tornado shelter / gymnasium and a large media center and maker space that serves as the hub of the building. Longfellow is surrounded by mid-century modern homes. The design aesthetic reflects the surrounding through architectural forms, detailing, materials and color palette.