New $143M Dallas Schools Showcase Innovation, Career Pathways, and Legacy of John Lewis

Students at two Dallas ISD schools began the school year in brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities this week as the district unveiled the John Lewis Social Justice Academy and the Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy.

The combined $143 million investment represents a major victory in Dallas ISD’s $3.2 billion 2020 bond program, which is funding new construction and upgrades across more than 200 campuses. The initiative aims to replace aging infrastructure with modern learning environments that prepare students for 21st-century opportunities.

Longfellow Academy’s $63 million campus features six career pathways: business, law, culinary arts, multimedia, STEM, and college readiness. The facility includes a professional-grade production studio, a new library, and collaborative workspaces throughout. Principal Michael Tatum stated that the campus design challenges conventional learning models.

“Everywhere you look, there are spaces for people to break out of a traditional school model and to sit down and be creative together,” Tatum said. “This building was built to give students the best possible chance at success.”

The $80 million John Lewis Social Justice Academy replaces the former Oliver Wendell Holmes Academy and will serve up to 900 students. A bold mural of the late civil rights leader and congressman welcomes visitors, while architectural elements from the old building’s façade preserve its legacy.

“This new campus is more than a building; it’s a promise,” Principal Monique Paige said. “It represents resilience, justice, and the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a space built intentionally for their success.”

District officials said the new schools reflect Dallas ISD’s broader commitment to education, innovation, and honoring community legacies.