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SISD Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Early Childhood Center

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SISD Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Early Childhood Center
Sherman ISD VIPs and Pre-K students dressed as construction workers throw dirt from shovels.

Coming together as one team, teachers and staff from Fred Douglass and Perrin early childhood centers joined district leaders in breaking ground on a new, single campus on Friday, Oct. 10.

The new Sherman ISD Early Childhood Center will serve Pre-Kindergarten and Head Start programs and be built on the previous site of Wakefield Elementary, which closed at the end of 2024-25 school year after serving the Sherman community for nearly 70 years. 

“As we break ground on this new early childhood center, we’re not just building walls and classrooms. We’re creating a place where laughter will echo, curiosity will grow and imaginations will thrive,” said Amy Porter, Director of Academic Support and Leadership Development. “This center is being built for them, for their bright smiles, big questions, and endless possibilities.”

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.

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.

A rendering of the new early childhood center

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

View Site Plan

It was designed by VLK Architects and is being constructed by general contractor CORE Construction.

The new school will open to students and staff for the 2027-28 school year. Due to the high-tech industry growth in Sherman, it is being funded through Sherman ISD’s 2023 bond program without an increase in the tax rate.

“This groundbreaking represents a commitment to and investment in early childhood education by our community and school district,” Superintendent Dr. Thomas O’Neal. “It is not only a commitment to provide the best facilities for our students, but an opportunity to expand these services to more students in the future.”