Diverse academic programs , competitive athletics and success in fine arts are key when parents choose a school system , and cause Ryan High to outgrow their common spaces like the cafeteria . Students eat in hallways or often time sit on the floor since they are out of room .
in 2004 to its current enrollment of 29,539 . To accommodate student growth , the district has built 11 schools in the past 10 years – but none within the Denton city limits .
Denton ISD covers more than 180 square miles while serving students in 17 different communities across Denton County . As the second-largest school district in what the U . S . Census Bureau has called the third-fastest growing county in the country , the district expects to maintain that growth over the next decade .
Templeton Demographics projects the district to grow by more than 4,000 students over the next five years and have an enrollment of more than 33,000 by the start of the 2023 school year . Local real estate agents and brokers don ’ t disagree with the projections either .
“ Denton ISD is just so big and its price points [ in residential and commercial properties ] are still reasonable , that there ’ s still plenty of room for much more growth ,” said Carlos Urquidez , a realtor with New Home DFW Realty . “ The Denton area is becoming part of the hub for these major corporations that are relocating to Dallas . All these new jobs have been created and people need a place to live and their kids to go to good schools .”
In an effort to stay in line with the projected growth and continue to keep providing students equitable opportunities across its vast boundaries , the district has called a bond election for the construction of two new schools , the renovation or replacement of five aging schools , capital improvements at 18 additional schools , safety and infrastructure improvements at every campus in the district , career and technical education projects as well as additions and renovations to extracurricular facilities across the district .
More than 100 individual projects that have an impact on each of Denton ISD ’ s 41 campuses will be part of the $ 750.5 million proposed bond program . And the consistent influx of new homeowners and businesses will be key in providing funding for these projects as none of the money received by the district from the state can be applied to building construction costs .
Mr . Urquidez , who graduated from Ryan High School but resides in Aubrey ISD , said he believes it ’ s important for school districts to make decisions that benefit their students and keep people wanting to come to their schools .
“ I can ’ t tell you the number of times you pull into a neighborhood and the school looks brand new , even if it ’ s not , how much more excited buyers get ,” he said . “ I believe a school is homogenous to its neighborhood and surroundings . If you invest in the school , all the properties and homes will follow suit . It benefits everyone .”
Ms . Pinnell , a Maryland native who ’ s lived in Denton since 2003 , echoes that sentiment . Despite her role in selling new homes across DFW and the popularity of new builds in the Denton area , she said she ’ s never entertained thoughts of moving out of her adopted hometown or leaving the school district .
“ Denton ISD will continue to grow , it makes too much sense not to , but the area still maintains the quiet , small-town feel . My daughter has always loved her schools and my neighbors look out for each other , it ’ s what ’ s kept me here so long .”
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