HOUSTON—The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) celebrated the completion of their new Adult Education Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Wednesday, July 19.

HCDE selected Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) as the program manager for projects in its capital improvement plan in 2021. As program manager, LAN is managing the planning, design, and construction of these projects. The $36.1 million improvements included a new middle school and adult education facility.

“HCDE is a world-class organization, and it is important that our buildings reflect the standard and quality of our services,” said James Colbert Jr., Harris County Department of Education superintendent. “We are excited to see how these facilities positively impact students, staff and the community.”

The approximately 51,000-square-foot Adult Education Facility, designed by cre8 Architects, will accommodate up to 1,200 students. It includes 17 classrooms, five laboratories, community/multi-purpose rooms, administration spaces, as well as a two-level parking garage and a surface parking lot. The $19.1 million facility will replace an aged group of buildings and provide a unified campus, resembling a community college. It will enable HCDE to expand its course offerings and allow students to grow their language skills, complete their general educational development, and develop new job competencies.

The new Highpoint East Middle School, also designed by cre8 Architects, will replace an older facility that can no longer be expanded to accommodate HCDE’s increased student population. Spanning approximately 28,000 square feet, the $8.2 million middle school will accommodate 60 students for Grades 6-8. It includes six classrooms, two computer labs, a science lab, administration rooms, multipurpose rooms for dining/orientation/training, teacher workroom and breakroom spaces, and a clinic. The new Highpoint East Middle School is scheduled for completion in August 2023.

“The facilities take into account the unique needs of HCDE’s students and educators to help equip them with the learning environment and infrastructure needed for the next few decades,” according to JP Grom, AIA, LEED AP, PMP, CCM, Vice President.

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