Students at two Dallas schools walked into brand-new, state-of-the-art buildings as John Lewis Social Justice Academy and Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy opened their doors.
The combined $143 million campuses mark a milestone in the district’s massive school modernization effort. The gleaming new facilities represent Dallas ISD’s commitment to education and innovation. Both schools feature cutting-edge technology and specialized learning spaces designed to prepare students for 21st-century careers.
The projects are part of the district’s 2020 bond initiative, which allocated $3.2 billion for new construction and upgrades across more than 200 schools. The voter-approved program aims to transform aging infrastructure into modern learning environments.
Longfellow Career Exploration Academy’s $63 million campus boasts specialized facilities for six career pathways: business, law, culinary arts, multimedia, STEM, and career/college readiness. The school includes a new production studio and library alongside collaborative workspaces throughout the building.
“This building is something that makes me very proud of Dallas ISD, because it is a campus built for these students to get the best possible chance at success in their life,” said Principal Michael Tatum.
The new campus honors Longfellow’s history while embracing innovation. A timeline displays the school’s legacy, and designers preserved a section of the original gym floor featuring the hand-painted logo.
“We have some of the best visual performing arts and other elective CTE spaces in the district and probably in the state,” Tatum said. “This campus was built to be a collaborative space for students and for adults to work together. Everywhere you look, there are spaces for people to break out of a traditional school model and to sit down and be creative together — everyone’s very visibly learning together. And that is something that’s very, very exciting about this building.”
John Lewis Social Justice Academy’s $80 million replacement campus will serve 800-900 students. The school, formerly known as Oliver Wendell Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy, honors the late civil rights icon and congressman.
A striking black-and-white mural of Lewis greets visitors above the main entrance. The building incorporates architectural elements from the previous structure’s façade and includes a spacious board meeting chamber.
“The new John Lewis campus is more than a building; it’s a promise,” said Principal Monique Paige. “A promise to our students that their brilliance will be seen, nurtured, and celebrated. A promise to our staff that their commitment and craft are the foundation of transformation. A promise to our families and community that we are not just rebuilding a school; we are reimagining what’s possible.”
Paige views the facility as a symbol of hope and determination.
“This campus represents resilience, justice, and the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a space built intentionally for their success. It is both a fresh start and a powerful continuation of our legacy,” she said.
The new campuses signal Dallas ISD’s broader transformation efforts. As students settle into their state-of-the-art classrooms, they’re experiencing firsthand the district’s vision for modern education.