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By Josiah Carrasco
For more information on the bond please visit here: https://midlandbond2023.com/whats-proposed/
Midland Independent School District (MISD) has revealed new renderings of the future Legacy High School and Midland High School campuses. These projects are part of the district’s broader Midland Bond 2023 initiative, which allocated $1.41 billion to address overcrowding, modernize facilities, and implement grade reconfiguration across the district. The renderings provide the first detailed glimpse into the future of Midland’s secondary education infrastructure, which will serve as the foundation for the district’s next generation of students.
Overview of the New Campuses
The renderings of the new Legacy High School and Midland High School campuses highlight MISD’s commitment to creating modern, spacious, and safe educational environments. Both campuses will cater to grades 9 through 12 and are designed to accommodate Midland’s growing student population, which has steadily increased in recent years due to the area’s economic expansion.
1. Legacy High School
• Capacity: The new Legacy High School campus will have a core student capacity of 4,200, with space for up to 3,800 academic students. This ensures the campus can handle the district’s long-term enrollment growth while providing enough room for students to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics and fine arts.
• Design Features: The rendering shows a modern architectural design that focuses on creating an open, welcoming atmosphere. Large glass windows, sleek lines, and expansive green spaces are designed to foster an environment conducive to both academic and personal growth.
2. Midland High School
• Capacity: Similar to Legacy High School, the new Midland High School campus will also have a core capacity of 4,200 students and room for 3,800 academic students. The focus of the design is on spacious, state-of-the-art facilities that can accommodate a wide range of academic programs.
• Design Features: The design for Midland High School prioritizes both security and functionality. The renderings depict a modern, streamlined structure that aims to provide both students and staff with a safe and efficient learning environment.
Scope of Work and Key Features
MISD has outlined several critical objectives that the new campuses will address. These include:
• Expanding Core Curriculum Spaces: The new facilities will provide significantly more classroom space for core subjects, allowing teachers to offer more specialized instruction in subjects such as mathematics, science, history, and language arts. These expanded spaces will also reduce the current issue of overcrowding in classrooms, which has been a growing concern for both students and parents.
• Fine Arts and Athletics: In addition to core curriculum upgrades, the new campuses will also feature expanded areas for fine arts programs (such as music, theater, and visual arts) and athletics. This expansion is crucial for students who participate in extracurricular activities, as these areas have been identified as being overcapacity in existing schools.
• Safety and Security Enhancements: Safety is a top priority for both new campuses. The schools will feature updated security measures, including controlled access points, modern surveillance systems, fencing, and intrusion-resistant windows. These upgrades will ensure that students and staff are secure within the campus while maintaining a welcoming environment.
Grade Reconfiguration and Enrollment Growth
The new campuses are a key part of Midland ISD’s overall plan to reconfigure grade levels within the district. MISD’s rapid enrollment growth in recent years has stretched existing schools beyond their intended capacity. The addition of these new high school campuses will allow for smoother transitions between grade levels, helping to alleviate overcrowding issues that currently exist within the district.
With these new high school campuses, the district will be able to fully implement its grade reconfiguration strategy, which is designed to better align students’ educational journeys from elementary through high school. This plan aims to provide students with a more focused and streamlined path through their academic careers.
Middle School and Elementary School Developments
In addition to the new high school campuses, the bond also addresses the needs of Midland’s middle and elementary schools. For middle schools, the bond allocates resources for upgrades at Abell, Alamo, and Goddard Middle Schools. These upgrades include expanded dining and kitchen facilities to accommodate growing student populations, as well as new classrooms to reduce overcrowding.
MISD also plans to convert the existing Midland Freshman and Legacy Freshman campuses into middle schools, further increasing the district’s ability to meet the needs of its middle school students.
Elementary School Expansion: The bond includes plans for a new elementary school in the Lone Star Trails area of Midland. Groundbreaking for the 92,500-square-foot school took place in June 2024, and it is expected to open by August 2025. The school will accommodate 830 students, providing much-needed relief to overcrowded elementary schools in the district.
Historical Context of Midland ISD’s Growth and Bond Development
Midland ISD’s history is deeply tied to the growth of the city of Midland itself. Established in 1907, MISD has expanded alongside the city, which saw significant growth during the West Texas oil boom in the 1920s. As Midland’s population increased, so did the need for schools. Midland High School, established in 1926, was the district’s first secondary school and remains a pillar of the community to this day.
The city’s rapid expansion, driven by the oil industry, has continued into the 21st century. Midland has experienced several population booms in recent decades, fueled by the Permian Basin oil resurgence. This economic growth brought new families and businesses to the area, creating a demand for updated and expanded educational infrastructure. The district’s enrollment surged, leading to overcrowded schools, which in turn prompted the development of the Midland Bond 2023.
Legacy High School (formerly Robert E. Lee High School) opened in 1961 as a response to the population boom in Midland during the post-World War II era. The school underwent a name change in 2020 as part of a nationwide movement to remove Confederate symbols from public spaces. The renaming marked an important moment in the district’s history, as it signified a commitment to progress and inclusivity.
The $1.41 billion bond, passed in 2023, represents the largest financial investment in the district’s infrastructure in its history. This monumental bond was a result of years of planning and community involvement. It underscores the community’s commitment to providing Midland’s students with the facilities and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive and globalized world.
The historical significance of these new developments cannot be overstated. Midland ISD’s transformation over the past century reflects both the growth of the city and the changing needs of its population. The new high school campuses, along with the other projects funded by the bond, represent the district’s ongoing efforts to adapt to these changes while providing a first-rate education to its students.
Looking Forward: The Future of Education in Midland
As construction on these new campuses begins, the district is poised to meet the challenges of the future. The groundbreaking for both Legacy High School and Midland High School is scheduled for the summer of 2025, with completion expected by the start of the 2026 school year. The new facilities, combined with the district’s commitment to safety, student engagement, and modern educational practices, will set Midland ISD apart as a leader in education in West Texas.
The development of these schools marks a turning point in the district’s history, as it transitions into a new era of growth and opportunity for students, staff, and the wider Midland community.
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