New Early Childhood Center
Opening in fall 2027 at the former site of Wakefield Elementary is a new, single campus dedicated to serving some of Sherman ISD’s youngest students.
The new early childhood center at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard, Robin Drive, and West Pecan Street will offer high-quality Pre-Kindergarten and Head Start to prepare 3- and 4-year olds for success in elementary school and beyond. Wakefield Elementary closed at the end of the 2024-25 school year to make way for the new campus.
Employees from Fred Douglass and Perrin currently serve students in SISD’s Pre-K and Head Start programs on smaller, separate campuses. The new, larger school will serve up to 660 students on a single, 94,000-square-foot campus, increasing operational efficiency and improving the function, safety and learning environment for early childhood students.
VLK Architects designed the campus, and the general contractor is CORE Construction.
Features of the new school include:
- Specialized classrooms and spaces to meet the unique needs of young learners
- Two separate parent drive loops with 2,905 linear feet of queueing depth, as well as a separate bus drop-off at the front of the building. All three loops include a canopy-covered walkway to the nearest entrance
- Purpose built spaces for special populations
- Protected and secure outdoor classroom and play spaces
- Indoor activity gym and indoor playground space, allowing for more activities and opportunities for students regardless of the weather
- FEMA compliant storm shelter that will accommodate all students and staff and withstand wind speeds up to 250 mph
The new early childhood center went vertical in January 2026.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new early childhood center was held on Oct. 10, 2025. Several Pre-K students participated in the groundbreaking, dressed in play hard hats and vests and accompanied with toy construction vehicles, representing the fun and educational spirit of early childhood.