PALESTINE, Texas – (August 11, 2025) – Westwood ISD opened the doors for the newly constructed Westwood Middle School and Administration Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, July 31, in advance of the first day of school August 13. Designed by Fitzpatrick Architects of Tyler in partnership with Pfluger Architects of Dallas and constructed by Jackson Construction, the 106,000-square-foot campus will serve 300 students with a capacity for 650 students in grades 6-8 and office the district’s administration and staff. A central community resource, these new buildings bring to life innovative, modern spaces designed to support growth, safety, and academic excellence.
Visitors gathered at the welcoming entrance of the new middle school for a celebratory ribbon cutting with representatives from Westwood ISD, then explored the campus and administration building on guided tours. The celebration marked a major milestone for the district and showcased the dedication and investment made possible through the successful passage of Bond 2021, a $38 million bond referendum approved by voters to fund campus repairs and upgrades, renovations, and new, modern facilities across the district.
The new administration building was funded through local resources and was not included in the 2021 Bond package. This investment reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to responsible financial stewardship and creating efficient, centralized spaces for leadership and district operations.
“These new facilities are a testament to the vision of our community and the commitment to creating learning environments where our students can thrive,” said Superintendent Wade Stanford. “We’re already seeing a positive impact on student engagement and staff collaboration.”
The buildings were designed by Fitzpatrick Architects of Tyler in partnership with Pfluger Architects of Dallas and constructed by Jackson Construction. Their efforts helped bring to life innovative, modern spaces designed to support growth, safety, and academic excellence.
The campus reconfiguration is a blend of new and refreshed buildings, and the new middle school design takes advantage of the original buildings’ good “bones,” stable foundations, and solid, loadbearing walls. The new campus joins the four former buildings under a single roof. Using the newly developed, district-wide design standards and working with leadership and community members, the new middle school features flexible instructional spaces that integrate technology, spark curiosity, and offer real-world experiences for students.
“The design intent is to support the learning space profile defined by input from the community, parents, staff, and students,” said Terry Hoyle, Pfluger CEO. “The learning spaces include flexible and comfortable instructional spaces; collaborative spaces for engagement, creativity, and student choice; and non-academic spaces for community engagement and outdoor learning.”
“The design strikes a balance between transparency and safety,” said Steve Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Architects. “With windows and clerestories, we brought natural light into educational spaces, and adding wood soffits warms the facade and creates a welcoming feel.”
The 2021 bond provided funding for critical improvements across all Westwood ISD campuses, including:
- Westwood Middle School: Brand-new construction including expanded classroom and lab spaces, the addition of 6th grade, enhanced fine arts facilities, and athletics facilities improvements.
- Westwood High School: Safety and security upgrades, ADA accessibility, and facility maintenance improvements.
- Westwood Primary and Elementary Schools: Playground upgrades, access control systems, and ADA enhancements.
- District-wide: HVAC and plumbing renovations, additional parking and driveways, and infrastructure updates.
Westwood ISD has already seen a strong and successful start to the school year, with students and staff utilizing the new spaces to their full potential. Westwood ISD extends its sincere gratitude to the community for its continued support in shaping a brighter future for all students.
About Westwood ISD
Westwood Independent School District (ISD) is a public school district based in Palestine, Texas. With an enrollment of 1,352 students, the district serves parts of Palestine and rural areas in west-central Anderson County. Westwood ISD prepares future-ready students in a positive and engaging educational environment. Learn more at https://www.westwoodisd.net.
About Pfluger Architects
Pfluger Architects is a premier Texas-based architecture firm with extensive experience in educational facility planning, design, and construction administration. Named one of Building Design + Construction’s Top 50 Architecture Firms in the 2024 Top 200 List, including the Top 10 K-12 Architecture Firms List, Pfluger Architects partners with communities and institutions to create engaging learning environments. Pfluger’s inclusive and collaborative teams across five Texas locations create beautiful, functional, environmentally sensitive spaces that inspire clients and communities to create meaningful human experiences. Learn more at https://pflugerarchitects.com.
About Fitzpatrick Architects
Fitzpatrick Architects is an East Texas-based architecture firm with a legacy of design excellence and strong community partnerships. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Tyler, the firm delivers creative, functional solutions across a broad range of project types—including education, civic, commercial, and faith-based environments. Known for their deep roots and responsive approach, Fitzpatrick Architects works collaboratively with clients to shape places that serve people, enrich lives, and reflect shared values. With a growing portfolio across Texas and the South, Fitzpatrick continues to elevate design through meaningful relationships, thoughtful problem-solving, and a commitment to lasting impact. Learn more at https://fitzpatrickarchitects.com.
About Jackson Construction
Jackson Construction is committed to providing the highest quality commercial construction services and specializes in building educational facilities for school districts across the state of Texas. Since 1984, we have built our business by fostering collaboration, offering customized solutions, ensuring cost accuracy and certainty, and maintaining flexibility and transparency. Our partnership with our clients extends beyond construction – we are committed to supporting the educators, students, and programs that shape each district’s future.
Learn more at jacksonconstruction.com.
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Media Contacts:
Britni Calzada, for Westwood ISD
bjcalzada@westwoodisd.net
903-729-1776
Allison Klingsick, for Pfluger
aklingsick@sunwestpr.com
903-316-4070
