Rebuilding and Expanding After Tornado Damage
When a tornado struck Dallas in October 2019, Thomas Jefferson High School sustained severe damage, leaving the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) with a difficult decision: rebuild what was lost, or reimagine the school to meet the needs of future generations. Choosing the latter, DISD commissioned HED, in collaboration with Corgan Architects, to lead a renovation and addition that would transform the campus into a modern learning environment for 2,200 students.
The project encompassed a 171,000-square-foot renovation of the existing facility and an additional 152,000 square feet of new construction, resulting in a 324,000-square-foot high school designed to support advanced academics, athletics, career and technical education (CTE), and the performing and visual arts.
The additions create signature spaces that expand student opportunities. A new competition gymnasium, designed to also serve as a storm shelter, provides both athletic and community resilience. A new cafeteria and kitchen, library, culinary arts suite, and ROTC program spaces reflect DISD’s commitment to comprehensive education. For the arts, the project introduces a band hall, dance studios, a black box theater, and significant upgrades to the existing auditorium, giving students professional-quality spaces to hone their creative skills.
Beyond academics and arts, the campus also responds to community needs. Within the Family/Youth Counseling Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System operates a family clinic, ensuring that essential healthcare services are integrated into the educational environment. This alignment of school and community resources reflects DISD’s recognition that student success extends beyond the classroom.
The 40-acre site, shared with the new Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy, was also comprehensively upgraded. New athletic and band practice fields expand outdoor opportunities, while improved parking and an extensive underground stormwater retention system prepare the campus to handle environmental challenges in the years ahead.
Designing under the urgency of tornado recovery required flexibility and collaboration. The project team worked closely with DISD to navigate setbacks, respond to unforeseen conditions, and deliver a campus that not only replaced what was lost but also elevated the school to new standards of excellence.
Thomas Jefferson High School has already been recognized with a CMAA North Texas Project Achievement Award, highlighting the exemplary results of this collaborative effort.
For students, the project delivers a state-of-the-art science, arts, and athletics environment. For the community, it represents resilience, renewal, and a vision for the future. By rebuilding and expanding, Thomas Jefferson High School emerges stronger than before—a symbol of both educational opportunity and the community’s determination to rise after adversity.
