Rebuilding Walnut Hill as a Language Immersion School for Dallas ISD
When a tornado struck Dallas in 2019, Edward H. Cary Middle School was declared a total loss. For the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), the destruction accelerated a planned transformation: converting the site into a new international language immersion PK-8 school.
Rather than wait for the district’s 2020 bond program, DISD fast-tracked the project using emergency funding, turning tragedy into an opportunity to rethink the future of education at Walnut Hill.
HED, in collaboration with Corgan Architects, was tasked with planning, designing, and delivering the new Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy. At 126,600 square feet, the two-story facility serves up to 800 students, offering a full range of programs with an emphasis on language immersion. The project reflects DISD’s long-term goal of strengthening international education opportunities while also responding quickly to the urgent needs of a community left without a school.
The design balances speed with quality. Working under the accelerated timeline required by emergency funding, the team delivered a school that not only met immediate needs but also exceeded expectations in terms of educational programming and design excellence. By leveraging close collaboration between HED, Corgan, and DISD, the design process became a model for how integrated teams can turn challenges into opportunities.
Located on the same 40-acre site as Thomas Jefferson High School, another HED-led project, the Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy complements its neighbor while establishing its own identity. The building is organized around flexible learning environments that can adapt to multiple teaching styles and age groups, supporting the diverse needs of PK-8 students. Classrooms are paired with collaborative areas to encourage group work, exploration, and cultural exchange.
Special attention was given to creating a welcoming environment that reflects the school’s international mission. Spaces for language immersion programs are visible and accessible, reinforcing the value of cultural diversity as a core element of the curriculum. Gathering spaces, common areas, and outdoor learning environments extend the educational experience beyond the classroom, promoting collaboration and student interaction at every scale.
Completed in 2023 at a cost of $44.3 million, the project has already been recognized with a CMAA North Texas Project Achievement Award, a testament to the strength of the design-build partnership and the project’s impact on the community.
More than a replacement school, the Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy represents resilience and renewal. By rebuilding quickly and thoughtfully, Dallas ISD created a place that reflects its educational aspirations while responding to the immediate needs of students, teachers, and families—a facility that will prepare young learners for a global future.
