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Waco ISD sets move into new Waco High; building 92% complete with summer move-in
Summary
Waco ISD project staff and the construction manager reported the new Waco High School is roughly 92% complete, on track for summer move-in and ready for fall occupancy. The project includes performance, CTE and athletic facilities and a phased plan for furniture, technology and salvage of assets from the old building.
Waco Independent School District construction staff told the board on May 20 that the new Waco High School is nearing completion and that district and contractor teams are preparing a summer move-in and fall opening.
Project status and schedule
Gloria Barrera and representatives from the architect and construction manager said the project is approximately 92% complete. The district has obtained a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) that allows material stocking and deliveries; staff said they are days away from a full occupancy TCO that will permit staff to occupy classroom and office spaces. Furniture deliveries have already begun and technology installation is in progress.
The plan calls for staff and teacher move-in over the summer, with active demolition and site work on the old building following the relocation. The site work includes completion of a parent drop-off loop, staff parking, tennis courts and three practice fields. The contractor said the building's final punch list, certification of systems and cleaning are on the near-term schedule.
Features and program spaces
Project representatives showed the board photos and descriptions of the new building's features: a two-story classroom wing, a central circulation space ("Lions Way"), an outreach-style coffee kiosk and commons, a 2,000-seat competition gym and an auxiliary gym, a 600-seat auditorium, band and choir halls with direct exterior access, CTE spaces including a commercial-grade culinary lab and a six-bay auto-tech shop, and visual-arts studios with access to an interior courtyard.
Salvage, logistics and community items
District staff described logistics for clearing the old building and reusing equipment. Several rooftop HVAC units recently replaced with ESSER funds will be salvaged for reuse on other campuses; auto-tech equipment and fixed assets will be relocated where appropriate. The district plans an online auction (May 27'6) for surplus items and has scheduled a crew to recover a time capsule dated 1986; the district plans to preserve and later open the time capsule at a fall dedication event.
Project staffing and teacher supports
Construction staff described a teacher's guide and orientation materials that will explain movable partitions, HVAC hoods, specialized lab equipment, performance rigging and other building systems. Project managers said there are many scheduled user-group walkthroughs (fine arts, CTE, culinary, science) already held and more planned, and that packing and labeling efforts are under way with campus leadership to avoid last-minute disruption.
Community access and next steps
Project leaders invited trustees and community partners to tour the new building and said they plan a public dedication once move-in and commissioning are complete. The district expects to complete the remaining site work by January, following demolition of the existing high school footprint.
Ending
With TCOs imminent, moves scheduled and faculty orientation materials in development, Waco ISD officials told the board the district is positioned to open the new Waco High School for students and staff in the coming school year.
