United South High School Students, Faculty and Staff Break Ground for New 9th Grade Campus
Written by admin, Mar 4, 2015, Comments Off
Courtesy Veronica Cantu,
(Laredo, Texas)-Donning their proud school colors, the “mighty panthers” of United South High School broke ground on the future 9th grade campus. Located about two blocks south of the main campus, the building will be a standalone two-story structure with a detached Future Farmers of America Agriculture program. The approximate square footage will be about 200,000 square feet and will serve about 1,200 students.
“This will be a first-rate facility that will foster a healthier, safer and more supportive learning environment for all of our students,” said United ISD Superintendent Roberto J. Santos.
The facility will have thirty classrooms, six science lecture labs with three shared prep rooms, two Special Education classrooms, six Business Information Magnet (BIM) Labs, and an Introduction to Career Technology Education Magnet Lab. The Fine Arts Program will have two art labs and a dance studio, while athletic programs and P.E. classes will share competition and practice gyms with access to outdoor sport fields.
“All of our students deserve exceptional facilities and we’re so proud to be here today,” Santos added.
The campus will also feature a 600-capacity cafeteria with indoor and outdoor dining areas, and two student common areas within academic wings, that will feature natural daylight, and a Library. Security for the campus will start at the perimeter with a Guardhouse, followed by a secure vestibule. Stairwells and an elevator will connect the floors of the building. The building will be full masonry veneer. The HVAC system will feature a cooled chiller and the parking lot will accommodate 250 vehicles.
Leyendecker Construction is the design/builder for this project. Pfluger and Frank were the architects working with Leyendecker Construction that designed the facility.
Once completed, future students, will attend the 9th grade campus first and then will attend the main campus upon completion of their freshman year. The campus is being built as approved by voters of the 2013 school bond who supported new 9th grade campuses at all District high schools.
For information and updates on the school bond visit the District website at www.uisd.net, and click on 2013 BOND.
