New Texas Middle School Embraces Modern Learning

By SCN Staff

STAFFORD, Texas—Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD), the only municipal school district in Texas, is on schedule to open its new facilities for middle school and administration this month.

The new facilities are being constructed as part of SMSD’s $62 million bond program that passed in late 2017. The bond program provided funds to address growth and expansion at SMSD, which enrolled approximately 3,600 students in the 2019-20 school year.

“We are thrilled with our new space,” said SMSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Bostic in a statement. “We can’t wait for staff, students and the community to see the final result and enjoy the renovations of our complex in person one day soon.”

The new $26 million middle school will accommodate 950 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. The three-story building, encompassing 139,360 square feet, includes 21st century classrooms, science laboratories, robotics, engineering and computer labs, band and two art rooms, fitness room, library, two gymnasiums and a cafetorium. The existing middle school was built in 1983 during the district’s inception.

The new two-story, 26,362-square-foot administrative building includes office areas, training and conferences rooms, and a board room for meetings. The $6.9 million facility includes a district memorabilia area where there will also be a 3D model of the complex installed. Both buildings were designed by AutoArch Architects and are being constructed by Drymalla Construction.

“The new facilities are aesthetically appealing and offer unique instructional opportunities for Stafford MSD students,” explained JP Grom, vice president at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam,

the firm serving as the program manager for the bond program.

Other elements of the bond program include converting the existing middle school into a new Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) magnet school for grades 3 to 8 that will open in 2021-22—the only one of its kind in Fort Bend County, a repurposed community center in place of the former administration building, a new outdoor educational plaza, converting the former intermediate school into an early childhood center, and renovation of the existing elementary and high schools.