Westwood ISD Completes Construction on New Middle School and Administration Building

PALESTINE, Texas — The Westwood Independent School District (WISD) has officially opened its new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building, marking a significant milestone in the district’s efforts to modernize its facilities and improve learning environments for students and staff.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on July 31, welcomed community members, parents, and students to tour the 106,000-square-foot campus ahead of the first day of school on Aug. 13. Designed to accommodate up to 650 students in grades 6–8, the middle school is paired with the district’s new administrative offices under one campus footprint.

Funding for the middle school came from the 2021 Bond Program, a $38 million voter-approved package aimed at constructing new facilities, completing renovations, and upgrading infrastructure across the district. The administration building, by contrast, was financed through local resources and did not draw from the bond allocation.

“These new facilities are a testament to the vision of our community and the commitment to creating learning environments where our students can thrive,” said WISD Superintendent Wade Stanford. “We’re already seeing a positive impact on student engagement and staff collaboration.”

The design and construction were the result of a collaborative effort between Fitzpatrick Architects, Pfluger Architects, and Jackson Construction. The project included the transformation of four existing buildings into a single cohesive facility, integrating new and renovated spaces while utilizing existing structural elements such as foundations and load-bearing walls.

“The design intent is to support the learning space profile defined by input from the community, parents, staff, and students,” said Pfluger CEO Terry Hoyle. “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.”

In addition to academic classrooms, the new campus features advanced technology infrastructure, multi-purpose gathering areas, and expanded outdoor learning zones. The administration wing includes modern office space, meeting rooms, and areas designed to improve communication between district leadership and school staff.

District officials emphasized that the facilities are not only built to meet current educational needs but also designed with future adaptability in mind. Energy-efficient systems, natural lighting strategies, and sustainable building materials were incorporated to reduce long-term operational costs while creating a healthy learning environment.

Community leaders expressed optimism about the long-term benefits of the project, noting that the school and administration building will serve as a hub for both education and public engagement for years to come.

Originally reported by Matt Jones in Spaces 4 Learning.