DVISD breaks ground on new high school in Whisper Valley neighborhood

Del Valle ISD held a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 3 for the district’s second high school. Located in the Whisper Valley neighborhood, the new facility will address the growing student population across the district and will serve the elementary and middle school campuses situated in the northern part of the district. 

The planned 430,000-square-foot building will house various innovative programs that prepare students for college and careers after graduation. 

"This is going to be a world-class facility. What you'll see in this new building is that it's every bit as equitable as the current comprehensive high school. We will be able to offer all the programs that we offer at the comprehensive high school, like our CTE programs," Dr. Tielle told attendees.

The new high school is part of the district’s 2022 bond, supported by the community, with 64.8% approval by Del Valle taxpayers. The bond also funded the purchase of the land for the second high school and another site in Whisper Valley which will house a future elementary and middle school.

Whisper Valley is a $2 billion green master-planned community in East Austin that will eventually have 7,500 homes. It is the country's only affordable and sustainable community of this size. Whisper Valley offers zero-energy capable homes, which is compatible and supportive with the geothermal energy system the school district intends to use. 

Being part of the sustainable community, the new high school will utilize efficient ground source heat pumps, reflective roof and window glazing to reduce solar heat gain, and locally sourced construction materials.

The district hired Pfluger Architects to design the new facility, and American Constructors will serve as the general contractor.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown attended the ceremony and issued an official proclamation, dedicating Nov. 3, 2023, as Del Valle High School Groundbreaking Day. 

The anticipated opening date for the new high school is August 2026.

DVISD School Board Members and local elected officials also provided remarks at the event along with Douglas Gilliland, managing director of Taurus Investment Holdings, the company responsible for the Whisper Valley development. Representatives from Pfluger Architects, American Constructors, and Whisper Valley also attended. The Del Valle High School Jazz Band offered musical entertainment.

You can watch the full live stream of the ceremony at this link.