Austin ISD celebrated the grand opening of the new Dr. General Marshall Middle School in Northeast Austin on October 4. The campus opened in Fall 2023 for the inaugural sixth grade class.
- This was the final school to open as part of the 2017 Bond program, which modernized 17 campuses and built two new schools across the district.
Why it matters: This school has been many years in the making. Long before it had students, a name, or even a mascot, it was envisioned as a community school that would serve Northeast Austin.
- The 130,000 square-foot campus features modern collaborative learning spaces that can serve 800 students.
The celebration included performances from Austin High School’s Ballet Folklorico and the marching bands of LBJ and Northeast Early College High Schools, as well as tours of the modernized space.
Emceed by Marshall students Amanda Coto and Jordyn Williams, the ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from district leadership, Marian Lavon Marshall, wife of the late Dr. Marshall and members of the Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.
What they are saying: “In the few short weeks we’ve been in this remarkable building, we have already made amazing memories with our students, caregivers, and staff,” said Marshall Middle School Principal Jordan Benson. “From the flexibility of the learning spaces, the natural light, and the many outdoor spaces, we could not imagine a better space to build opportunities for our students.”
The backstory: In June 2022, the Board of Trustees voted to name the new school after Dr. General Garwood Marshall, a prominent member of Austin’s Black community and a former professor of mathematics at Huston-Tillotson University.
- A tireless mentor to his students, Marshall’s educational legacy includes founding AusPREP, a free summer STEM program for middle and high school students.
Go deeper: Click here to watch the recording of the grand opening. Find out more about the 2017 Bond program at austinisd2017bond.org.
Congratulations to Marshall Middle School! Go Rams!
