When students at John Lewis Social Justice Academy at Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School and Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy begin classes this week, they will do so in brand-new, purpose-built campuses. John Lewis Social Justice Academy and Longfellow Career Exploration Academy are brand new state-of-the-art buildings, totaling an estimated $143 million combined. They are part of the district’s voter-approved 2020 Bond Project, which includes $3.2 billion for new schools as well as infrastructure repairs and upgrades to more than 200 of the district’s 228 schools. Longfellow Principal Michael Tatum said that he’s excited about the district’s innovative work…

From the cheers at school entrances to the excitement in the community’s voices, Dallas ISD’s first day of the 2025-2026 school year began with a celebration of legacy, excellence, and innovation. Across the district, thousands of students returned to classrooms, greeted by principals, educators, community members, and special guests ready to set the tone for the year. At Albert C. Black Jr. STEAM Academy, the school’s namesake, Albert C. Black Jr., addressed students and teachers, sharing his hopes for the year ahead. “We are so proud of you. When a plan manifests as nice as this one has, you’ve got…

Over 200 Dallas ISD students participated in a summer commencement ceremony, held on Aug. 5 at Alfred J. Loos Field House to celebrate those who completed their high school graduation requirements after the traditional school year. “This is a vital event acknowledging those students who needed additional time or support to meet graduation requirements after the traditional school year ends,” Leslie Swann, director of Advocacy & Outreach for the Graduation, Recovery, Attendance, Advocacy, and Dropout Intervention department. “It is a second chance for completion prior to the next school year, students can maintain academic momentum, helping them stay on course…

When students walk down the halls of the brand-new John Lewis Social Justice Academy at Oliver Wendell Holmes, they’ll step into a space built just for them, a place that honors the school’s history while opening doors to its future. The $80 million campus, built as part of the 2020 Bond Program, was designed with both innovation and tradition in mind.  Its metal screens, preserved from the original building, and color-matched brick serve as nods to the school’s legacy, while features like a central open library, described as a “living room” concept, reflect a vision for the future. “I’ve been…