The details
The early childhood center, named after former NISD superintendent Dr. David Hicks, will be a pre-kindergarten facility for Northwest ISD residents with a capacity of 450 students, district officials said. The facility, which is located off FM 156 between Hillshire Drive and East Bonds Ranch Road, will focus on experiential and play-based learning.
Hicks passed away unexpectedly in September 2022, less than six months into his tenure, according to previous Community Impact reporting. His wife, Tammy Hicks, said the center is another opportunity to continue her late husband’s legacy in education.
“David embraced fun, innovative and creative learning. He made a point to recognize teachers and administrators who implemented new and original ideas for student involvement in the classroom,” Hicks said at the ceremony.
Zooming out
Voters approved a nearly $2 billion bond package during the 2023 May election to address the district’s growing population, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Four new early childhood development centers were among the approved facilities from the election.
Northwest ISD board of trustees Vice President Lillian Rauch said she’s seen a lot of growth in the community in the last 30 years.
“A large part of [the growth] is because we have such great schools. Great schools come from many places including the educators, the administrators who run the building and most of all the students and their families,” she said.
Stephanie Espinosa, NISD's executive director of teaching and learning, said the district has added 1,200 students per year for more than two decades and pre-K enrollment in the district has “roughly doubled.”
What’s next
Construction for the Dr. Hicks Early Childhood Center is scheduled to be completed by June 2026 with the opening date set for August 2026. District officials said families will likely be able to apply for enrollment in April 2026.
Officials said their goal is to break ground on the second facility in 2026 with a targeted opening date of August 2027.
