(DALLAS, March 10, 2025) – DLR Group’s educational design footprint in Texas continues to grow, including award-winning work with some of the state’s most notable school districts. Additionally, leaders in K-12 Education design and the top talent across the industry are drawn to DLR Group’s offices in Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

School is in Session

A pair of new schools, Tomball Early Excellence Academy and Almeta Crawford High School, serve as the catalyst for DLR Group’s ongoing educational design influence in Texas. Alongside this is the award-winning Austin ISD Long-Range Plan, recognized for DLR Group’s innovative and replicable solutions for communities facing similar challenges. Here’s a closer look at all three:

Tomball Early Excellence Academy

Tomball Early Excellence Academy uses its storybook inspiration and biophilic themes to guide learners through their day. The 57,000 SF facility is home to 550 early learners. It was recently awarded with International Interior and Design Association (IIDA) Design Excellence award for Best in Show and Early Childhood/K-12 Education. It was also recognized by TASA with Three Stars of Distinction for Value, Planning, and Transformation.

Almeta Crawford High School

Almeta Crawford High School sets a new precedent for education for Fort Bend ISD. Situated on 45 acres, the 502,000 SF high school provides 3,000 students with optimal learning environments. The design offers students and teachers with views and access to the outdoors, the courtyard, and a covered patio.

Austin ISD’s Long-Range Plan

DLR Group was recognized by the American Planning Association with the Paul Davidoff award for Advancing Diversity and Social Change for its community-driven long-range plan with Austin Independent School District. As the jury noted, the work “breaks new ground in school planning, offering innovative and replicable solutions for communities facing similar challenges.” The equity-driven plan was the catalyst for Austin ISD passing a historic $2.4 billion bond in 2022 to fund 30 transformative projects across the district. Over 70% of the transformative projects are in low-income communities of color.

Coming Soon

The first educational facilities project derived from Austin’s Long-Range Plan, the replacement of Burnet Middle School, is set to break ground later this year and open fall 2027. The 240,000 SF middle school is designed to meet several sustainability measures prioritized in the Long-Range Plan through LEED and Austin Energy Green Building Certifications. The facility will serve as an inclusive community resource that celebrates the many nationalities and the diversity of those that live there.

DLR Group is working on several transformative projects for Longview Independent School District. The Dallas-area school district is set to break ground on a CTE facility, a multipurpose facility addition, and a new natatorium. Those projects are scheduled to break ground this summer and be completed in 2027.

Clements High School

Clements High School is the second high school DLR Group designed with Fort Bend ISD. Like its predecessor, Almeta Crawford High School, Clements High School leverages a strategic site plan and also features ample connection to outdoor learning environments. With intentional design schedules, students will remain in-class and on campus all throughout construction. The district will break ground on the new 468,000 SF high school this spring with completion expected in 2027.

DLR Group’s design will impact 15,000 students across the Lone Star State in the next three years. The firm has a range of additional ongoing work, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and tailored facilities to unique curriculum opportunities, among other educational projects across the state. They are serving many communities and districts across the state, including the following:

• Dallas / Fort Worth
  • Dallas Independent School District
  • Crandall Independent School District
  • Carrolton-Farmers Branch Independent School District
  • Fort Worth Independent School District
  • Longview Independent School District
• Houston
  • Alief Independent School District
  • Fort Bend Independent School District
  • Conroe Independent School District
  • Klein Independent School District
  • New Caney Independent School District
  • Tomball Independent School District
• Austin
  • Austin Independent School District
  • Elgin Independent School District
  • Liberty Hill Independent School District
  • Pflugerville Independent School District
  • Round Rock Independent School District
• El Paso
  • Canutillo Independent School District
• Odessa
  • Ector County Independent School District