Melissa ISD is moving forward with the third phase expansion of Melissa High School and building a second middle school campus, at the recommendation of the Melissa ISD Board of Trustees and members of the middle school planning focus group. K-12 architectural firm, WRA Architects, has been hired to serve as the architect for both projects.
Also in development, Sumeer Elementary School is on track to open in the fall of 2023, and the Board has identified additional property for a fifth elementary school, currently in the early planning stages.
Two Middle Schools, All Melissa Cardinals
Melissa ISD has worked closely with the City of Melissa and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) over the past few years to identify and develop the infrastructure needed to support a new middle school campus. In addition, more than 50 people took part in the middle school planning focus group, consisting of teachers, administrators, parents, and community members, to identify the facility needs necessary to serve middle school students across Melissa ISD for years to come.
It is the consensus of the focus group that, upon opening a second middle school campus, Melissa ISD will need and support two middle schools with grade 6-8 configurations. In addition to building a second middle school, the current Melissa Middle School building will need to undergo significant renovations.
Development will begin as soon as possible on the second Melissa ISD middle school campus, which will be located across from the Melissa Z-Plex Texas Sports Village.
Superintendent Keith Murphy shared, “It was very clear after listening to the middle school focus group that the priority is to create equity between the two middle school campuses. The group was sensitive to the importance of both schools having the same commitment to academics, athletics, and fine arts. It is evident that our teachers, administrators, students, parents, and the community have a shared commitment of high expectations, which I believe is the perfect recipe for providing a world-class environment for future Cardinals.”
Mr. Murphy also shared his encouragement by the tone of the focus group’s conversation, noting their understanding that it is not just a challenge, but an opportunity to get to model ‘The Cardinal Way’ with well-defined, desired outcomes.
Board President George James added, “It is tremendously important that the Board focuses on doing what is best for the kids of Melissa. As a school board, we are committed to finding ways to fund facility projects while supporting our teachers and students. I have immense love and respect for all our students, teachers, and staff, and I love ‘The Cardinal Way’. The Cardinal Way is inclusive, caring, and courageous. The Cardinal Way is to always find ways to improve. The Cardinal Way is not divisive. The Cardinal Way is to grow every student.”
Melissa High School Phase III
Development is well underway on the third phase of Melissa High School, expected to be completed within the next 18-24 months. The Phase III expansion will include a 250,000 sq. ft. addition that will adjoin the existing academic tower to a second academic building, which will house the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Additionally, located west of the Melissa Championship Center, Coach Kenny Deel Stadium will open in the spring of 2023, in time to host the Melissa High School Senior Class of 2023 graduation ceremony.
An overview of the growth and development projects at Melissa Schools from 2015 to today can be accessed online at at www.melissaisd.org/growth.