PALESTINE, TX — Westwood Independent School District (ISD) recently opened the doors for the newly constructed Westwood Middle School and Administration Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, in advance of the first day of school. A central community resource, the 106,000-square-foot campus will serve 300 students with a capacity for 650 students in grades 6 through 8 and office the district’s administration and staff.
Visitors gathered at the entrance of the new middle school for a celebratory ribbon cutting with representatives from Westwood ISD, then explored the campus and administration building on guided tours. The celebration marked a major milestone for the district and was made possible through the successful passage of Bond 2021, a $38 million bond referendum approved by voters to fund campus repairs and upgrades, renovations, and new, modern facilities across the district. The new administration building was funded through local resources and was not included in the 2021 bond package.
“These new facilities are a testament to the vision of our community and the commitment to creating learning environments where our students can thrive,” Superintendent Wade Stanford said. “We’re already seeing a positive impact on student engagement and staff collaboration.”
The buildings were designed by Fitzpatrick Architects of Tyler, Texas, in partnership with Pfluger Architects of Dallas, Texas, and constructed by Jackson Construction.
The campus reconfiguration is a blend of new and refreshed buildings, and the new middle school design takes advantage of the original buildings’ good “bones,” stable foundations, and solid, loadbearing walls. The new campus joins the four former buildings under a single roof. Using the newly developed, district-wide design standards and working with leadership and community members, the new middle school features flexible instructional spaces that integrate technology and offer real-world experiences for students.
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“The design intent is to support the learning space profile defined by input from the community, parents, staff, and students,” said Terry Hoyle, Pfluger CEO. “The learning spaces include flexible and comfortable instructional spaces; collaborative spaces for engagement, creativity, and student choice; and non-academic spaces for community engagement and outdoor learning.”
“The design strikes a balance between transparency and safety,” said Steve Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Architects. “With windows and clerestories, we brought natural light into educational spaces, and adding wood soffits warms the facade and creates a welcoming feel.”
The 2021 bond provided funding for critical improvements across all Westwood ISD campuses, including:
- Westwood Middle School: New construction including expanded classroom and lab spaces, the addition of 6th grade, enhanced fine arts facilities, and athletics facilities improvements
- Westwood High School: Safety and security upgrades, ADA accessibility, and facility maintenance improvements
- Westwood Primary and Elementary Schools: Playground upgrades, access control systems, and ADA enhancements
- District-wide: HVAC and plumbing renovations, additional parking and driveways, and infrastructure updates
