Photo album: Springwoods Village Middle School Ribbon-Cutting
HOUSTON – Oct. 7, 2019 – The new Springwoods Village Middle School got a lot of compliments Saturday as the school officially celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew dozens of students, staff and neighbors.
But for eighth-grade student Anyah Clark, the new, modern facility is only one of the reasons she loves her new school. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids to have the IB program here,” she said, referring to plans to make the school an International Baccalaureate campus. “I’m excited about my classes, it’s just fun all around.”
Such enthusiasm was on full display Saturday in a gym filled with well-wishers who came out to recognize one of the district’s newest schools, built as part of the voter-approved 2016 bond program.
“I believe I am one of the luckiest board presidents to ever serve a school district,” Rhonda Newhouse told the crowd, noting that she recently celebrated the grand opening of Roberson Middle School’s replacement campus in August, also part of the bond program.
“To be here today is truly a wonderful opportunity and speaks volumes about our community,” Newhouse said. “We are a community that supports student achievement and student success.”
Trustees joining Newhouse at the event were Donald Davis, Justine Durant, Winford Adams Jr. and Dr. Deborah Jensen.
Springwoods Village Middle School opened in time for the start of the new school year on Aug. 14, and is laying the groundwork to become an International Baccalaureate Program, which encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.
For parent Ebony Owens, that IB program was one of the main reasons she was excited to have her daughter Jayden Paul attend the school. Owens graduated from an IB program in another school district and said it’s a great way to get students thinking about the future and preparing for college.
She appreciates the school keeping her in the loop, and her daughter enjoys the athletics program. “It feels like a home,” she said. “Everybody gets along well.”
Saturday’s event showcased the support for the new school and its students, who helped greet visitors and participated in the ceremony with choir and cheer performances.
Principal Kimberly Culley welcomed everyone, including representatives from the project’s architect, Stantec, and the contractor, Satterfield & Pontikes. “I thank each of you for being here,” she said. “It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point.”
The 149,207-square-foot building features classrooms around flexible learning areas to encourage collaboration and project-based experiences. The design of the two-story building includes classrooms and fine arts, dining, library and gymnasium spaces on the first floor, with additional classrooms on the second floor.
Adjacent to the library is a special makerspace intended to encourage students to experiment and collaborate. The exterior of the school includes a south-facing courtyard, main entrance and visitor parking. Athletic fields are located on the west side of the site.
Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney E. Watson thanked Culley, as well as the Board of Trustees, for helping complete the project. He noted that the idea for a school on the north side of the district came from parents and community members who had been wanting a new middle school for years.
“There was one question that parents kept asking, ‘When are you going to build a building on the north side? We were promised a middle school.’ We are here today to let you know that under the direction of the board, we fulfilled that promise,” he said.
Watson went on to note that the new school was more than just a beautiful facility. “This is an absolutely wonderful building,” he said, “but there is also great learning going on.”