Stantec, a global integrated design firm, continues its legacy of award-winning education projects with three schools receiving 10 Stars of Distinction from the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) in the 2024–2025 Exhibit of School Architecture.

Each year, a 12-member jury recognizes projects with Stars of Distinction for Excellence in one or more categories: Design, Value, Wellness, Community, Planning, and Transformation. The winning Stantec-designed schools are Arlington Independent School District’s (ISD) Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy, Round Rock ISD’s C.D. Fulkes Middle School, and Spring Branch ISD’s Bunker Hill Elementary School.

Gunn Junior High Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy (Arlington ISD) Stars of Distinction: Community, Planning, and Transformation

The culmination of a vision that started in 2013 when Arlington ISD began developing its fine arts and dual language (FADL) curriculum at the elementary level, Gunn Junior High and FADL Academy extends this program into the junior high level.

The district chose to place these programs in older buildings with low enrollment to help reinvest in those communities and drive neighborhood renewal. At Gunn Junior High, the academy’s vision revolves around combining freedom, creativity, and empathy, to empower students transitioning from elementary academies to continue their high-level academic studies through the arts and dual language programs.

Stantec designed the renovated campus to strategically connect academic, athletic, fine arts, and dining spaces through the “SWAMP,” a newly created central hub. The open media center and overall design provide a highly visible space to encourage collaboration and innovation, enriching student academic studies. The introduction of a “House” concept further unifies the student body, fostering a sense of community across diverse educational pathways and cultural backgrounds. Symbols of unique animal figures represent each House’s core values and their collective contribution to the Gunn Gator community.

C.D. Fulkes Middle School (Round Rock ISD) Stars of Distinction: Design, Value, Wellness, and Transformation

Located within the heart of downtown Round Rock, C.D. Fulkes Middle School is a unique facility that fuels creativity and educational excellence through sustainable and wellness-driven design. Originally a campus that had over 10 additions throughout several decades, the district was determined to create a modern and vibrant facility that could adapt to the evolving learning environment while representing the philosophy, aspirations, and values of Round Rock ISD.

Stantec designed the new school on the original site. The firm’s design emphasizes the integration of open, communal spaces in both exterior and interior areas. Classrooms and learning environments are flexible and inclusive, allowing the accommodation of different learning styles and needs. Other spaces are dedicated to collaborative learning, quiet study areas, and accessible facilities for students with disabilities. Technology and resources are utilized to support bilingual education and multicultural curricula, reflecting the community’s diversity and letting students see their backgrounds represented and respected in their daily education.

Additionally, the school offers venues such as multipurpose hallways, flex spaces, shaded outdoor seating, and a sports complex with a concessions stand. This allowed the campus to host cultural events, football games, meetings, and educational fairs, fostering a sense of unity and belonging for students and the community.

Bunker Hill Elementary School (Spring Branch ISD) Stars of Distinction: Value, Wellness, and Planning

To transform the 1950s one-story Bunker Hill Elementary School, Stantec designed a new campus. The firm designed the new two-story facility to accommodate 750 students and carefully phased the construction process to allow the existing school to continue operating while the new facility was built on-site.

The new facility aims to be inviting and accessible, fostering an open and welcoming atmosphere for students, staff, and visitors. The layout can adapt to evolving educational practices and emphasizes flexibility and collaboration. Stantec’s design integrates the school with its natural surroundings, enhancing the learning experience through multiple outdoor learning courtyards.

Additionally, this project transformed the existing campus by replacing separate buildings with connected grade-level learning communities housed under one roof. The library now serves as the heart of the campus and multiple flexible spaces provide opportunities for learning both indoors and outdoors.