It’s Friday morning, and an auditorium full of Woodrow Wilson High School students is belting out “Happy Birthday to You” to celebrate the school’s 90th year.
Principal Michael Moran has just listed off numerous accomplishments—a perfect seven out of seven academic distinctions, an undefeated football team, an acclaimed International Baccalaureate program, for starters—to students as part of an all-class pep rally to celebrate the school’s birthday.
“This school has history, this school has an outstanding reputation, and I know each and every one of you will make Woodrow proud this year,” Moran tells students.
Woodrow Wilson High School opened to students on Sept. 14, 1928. As more families choose Dallas ISD and Woodrow, enrollment at the school has grown to serve 1,953 students this school year. The firm IN2 Architects conducted an assessment this week that found the campus “can comfortably and safely accommodate the current enrollment with additional room to grow.”
For students such as senior Noelle Martinez, Woodrow has a perfect blend of rigorous academics and extracurricular activities.
“I like there is so much diversity and I meet new people every day,” Martinez said. “I can be involved in more than one thing. I can be in sports, in clubs, and still study without being stressed out.”
Back behind the school, construction crews are working on building a three-story addition, new competition gym and locker room facilities. The improvements funded by the $1.6 billion bond program will open by August 2019.
“Everyone here is well aware of the storied history of this school, and we are looking forward to a great school year to kick off the next 90 years,” Moran said. “Thanks to our students, parents, teachers and staff, we will continue making Woodrow a crown jewel of Dallas.”
