As Austin ISD begins this unique school year, we hope you and your families are doing well and staying healthy. In this busy time, we want to take a moment to provide an update on the Govalle Elementary School modernization project. We are excited to announce that work on Phase Two of the project is wrapping up, and we’ll be able to welcome students back to the finished site this semester.
As part of the 2017 Bond Program, Govalle received a full modernization on the existing site. The state-of-the-art campus is purpose-built to serve its dual language and Pre-K programs, as well as a life skills program. The new school, which opened in February, is organized around a central open courtyard and main street that create distinct spaces for academics, fine arts and athletics.The two-story building incorporates two learning communities–each with 12 studios, one professional learning center, a maker space and small group break-out rooms. At the center and heart of the school is the media center. This area fuses together the two-story academic wing and the secondary active block that incorporates the gymnasium, cafeteria, art and music rooms.
After students moved into the new facility in February, work on Phase Two of the modernization was able to begin. Phase Two includes removal of the original building to make room for a new parking lot and drop-off loop, open play field, gardens, a covered sport court and playgrounds for students and the community to enjoy. The final phase of the Govalle project is wrapping up now and will be ready for students to enjoy when face-to-face instruction resumes.
Now that the new parent drop-off and pickup loop is complete, families driving students to school will either enter the site from Govalle Ave. or Gunter St. and exit the site from Govalle Ave. There are two separate entrances for walkers: one accessible route off of Gunter St. as well as a bike path off of Govalle Ave. Buses will continue to enter the site off of Gunter St. towards the back of the school. For more information on traffic circulation at the new site, please see the graphic below.
