Waller ISD Welcomes Exciting Growth
Waller, TX - To address the district's student growth, Waller ISD celebrated the opening of the new Herman T. Jones Elementary School, additions and renovations to Roberts Road Elementary School, renovations to the Career and Technical Education Building, and a new Agriculture Sciences building at Waller High School. These projects were designed as a result of the district's $71,320,000 bond referendum approved by voters in November 2015.
Todd Lien, VLK Partner, stated, "These projects are an essential part of the planning that Waller ISD is doing for further growth in the area and we are glad to be a part of this ongoing transformation. We are proud of these new facilities and the way the design has a clear focus on innovation."
Working with VLK Architects, Waller ISD sought to replace the former H.T. Jones Elementary School that was located on the Prairie View A&M campus with a capacity of only 300 students. The new one-story prototype facility has a student capacity of 800 and is next generation technology-ready. Features include a central library that is adjacent to several classrooms, allowing for increased flexibility for large group instruction, dedicated areas for collaboration of students in the corridors, and flexible spaces for all types of learners. The classrooms have built-in workstations for teachers and student storage cubbies with charging stations above. All classrooms have a conjoined door to allow for shared supervision and opportunities for classes to collaborate. The corridors and classrooms are also designed to allow natural daylight to fill the interior of the building via clerestory windows to promote student achievement.
This year, Roberts Road Elementary School will be able to welcome more students with the help of much needed classroom space. Each hallway gained five classrooms with areas to accommodate technology and promote collaboration. New carpet and paint throughout the rest of the existing building gave a much needed upgrade to the entire campus.
With 70% of students at Waller High School enrolling in CTE courses, Waller High School added a new Ag Science building and renovated the existing CTE building. The new Ag Sciences building contains twoshops for metal work and welding and have supporting classrooms equipped with locker rooms. The newly renovated CTE building received larger, air conditioned shops and locker rooms and allows for wood, metal, and welding shops to have their own designated spaces.