grounds during the first week of school , that mission was accomplished .
Hallways , classrooms and the library are flooded with natural light throughout the day , giving the building an open feel . An expansive wireless network and collaborative work spaces allow teachers and students to have access to activities and lessons anywhere their imagination can take them .
Braswell High – Building a legacy
Braswell High School welcomed its inaugural classes of freshmen , sophomores , and juniors on the first day , in all 1,212 were there to make history .
“ It is an amazing opportunity to be a part of a brand new school and be here the first year it ’ s open ,” said Celeste Kalmbach , freshman . “ I think that is what a new school brings ; it brings a lot of opportunities for everybody . Bringing the whole community together , we are like one big family and this school is going to be what the 380 Corridor , or as we now call it the Braswell Zone , is known for .”
The district wanted students and community members in the Braswell Zone to be involved in their own high school from day one . The Braswell Bengals took that mantra on literally .
Early in the building process , students in the area that were identified to attend the new campus took part in everything from the actual groundbreaking to deciding the mascot and the school colors .
Even junior level students in advanced engineering and architecture classes at the district ’ s LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex “ shadowed ’ contractors through the process of building the new innovative campus .
The building is broken down into small communities or houses , and each contains its own collaborative learning areas , glass huddle rooms , writeable wall surfaces and digital displays . Ordinary spaces , even hallways , contain flexible learning spaces with direct access to “ educational courtyards ” which are designed with collaboration at their core .
“ The positioning of the academic areas in the building really captures the use of natural light , and I already have plans of how to incorporate every physical inch of this classroom and the adjacent lab within my focus
on biology , natural science and physics ,” said Yatishe Milner , science department chair at Braswell .
Braswell High ’ s Bill Carrico Athletic Complex , named for a longtime Denton ISD teacher , coach and administrator who was also an All-American at The University of North Texas , was built with multi-function and use in mind . Built for junior varsity football – with the potential to expand to a varsity-sized facility – as well as varsity baseball , softball , tennis , track and soccer stadiums , the complex houses multiple outbuildings providing individual locker room and dressing facilities for every sport .
The school will soon fill due to rapid growth and development in the area . Core facilities are designed to serve 2,700 students however additions to the academics , career and technology and athletics areas are planned and expected as the district continues to meet students ’ needs .
“ Braswell High School sets the new standard for collaborative learning and critical thinking ,” said Dr . Jamie Wilson , superintendent of school . “ Denton ISD students will be far-and-away much better prepared for post-secondary education and the workforce due to the hard work of our teachers and staff facilitated by this amazing campus .”
The school opened on the first day with 1,212 students and is predicted to reach capacity within five years . True to the tone of collaborative workspaces , the main eating area in the school is referred to as The Commons .
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