HPISD community celebrates groundbreaking of new elementary school

First new elementary school in HPISD since 1948

Photo above by Chris McGathey, photo below by Kim Leeson

Following years of work to address its facility issues, Highland Park ISD officially broke ground Monday on a new elementary school designed to serve students for generations to come. The last time HPISD broke ground for a new elementary school was in 1948 when gasoline cost $0.16 a gallon, a movie ticket was $0.60, and Harry S. Truman was president. A lot has changed in nearly 70 years, but the unyielding commitment to educational excellence in HPISD is as strong as ever.

Approximately 200 community members gathered at the site of the new school, on the corner of Wentwood and Durham, on the morning of June 20 to break ground on a state-of-the-art facility for HPISD students. When the campus opens, it will provide students with flexible learning spaces, a secluded outdoor classroom with a garden and classrooms averaging 800 square feet.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured Hyer Cub Scout Troop 84 leading the Pledge of Allegiance, the University Park Elementary Choir performing "The Star Spangled Banner" and a song entitled "Thank You," and remarks from School Board President Joe Taylor, School Board Facilities Chair Jim Hitzelberger, Dallas City Council Member Jennifer S. Gates and HPISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg. Afterward, the School Board and members of the Facilities Advisory Committee donned hardhats and used golden shovels to break ground and commemorate the historic moment.

"This celebration was a way for HPISD and the School Board to thank the countless people who were integral in supporting a bold proposal that led to the building of a new elementary school," Taylor said. "The reason for building this school was simple - to provide our students with an exceptional learning environment."

After the event, students and families took turns with the shovels to pose for photos. As the last guests left and the construction company prepared to clear the site, Dr. Trigg reflected on the whirlwind year that led to this moment.

"From passing the bond, to working with neighbors on this school's design, to gaining approval for the new elementary from Dallas City Council, HPISD has been focused on providing enhanced learning spaces for our students," Dr. Trigg said. "This was a great celebration, but there is a lot of work ahead. HPISD will continue to ensure that all of our schools receive the attention they need as we continue to update our facilities."

Construction on the new elementary school will begin immediately with an expected opening date of August 2017. The school will be located on HPISD land, previously owned by Northway Christian Church, and will be bounded by the church to the west, Northwest Parkway (the access road to NW Hwy.) to the north, Durham to the east and Wentwood to the south.

Planning for the school began in earnest in the summer of 2015 when several HPISD teachers, administrators and community members visited school campuses in other districts to study the features and benefits of recently constructed classrooms. Many of the components they observed and wanted to include are being incorporated into the new school. Since then, focus groups consisting of community leaders, neighbors, parents and teachers have provided, and will continue to provide, valuable feedback into the final plans for the school.

Click here to view more photos from the groundbreaking ceremony.