After two years of construction, the new academic building at Alamo Heights High School opened for staff and students in August. 

Designed by LPA Design Studios and built by Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, the building incorporates nods to the past with modern learning spaces. 

The new building is three stories tall, though from the front entrance, it looks strikingly similar to the original two story building. It’s anchored by the beloved Mule statue that was returned to the front of the school this summer, after spending almost two years at the entrance to Henry B. Orem Stadium.

“Together, we will make this beautiful new building more than a school - we will fill it with learning, belonging, excellence, memories, and a legacy that will endure for generations,” said AHHS Principal Cory Ann Smith. 

Classrooms are on average 150 square feet larger than in the previous building and there are numerous collaborative learning spaces, multipurpose classrooms, and professional development spaces on each floor. There are two outdoor learning spaces in the courtyard leading to the Oaks cafeteria and 2 outdoor decks on levels two and three. 

By expanding upward to three floors, the building is approximately 30,000 square feet larger than before with 68 classrooms. There’s also an additional 100 parking spaces, with the removal of the mods and the Broadway South parking lot added during construction. 

The entrance features a secure vestibule to control access to the building, one of several safety features throughout. 

The College Center and Library are prominently located near the entrance. Visitors to the library will notice the old letters from the previous building’s exterior on display, one of several elements of the past. To the left in the main hallway is a walk down memory lane with the alumni class photos on display and a recreation of the ‘Bucking Mule’ mural. Up the main stairs from floor 2 to floor 3 is a sweeping new mural highlighting AHHS through the decades. 

This is Melissa Meza’s 21st year teaching at AHHS, but she said with the opening of the new building she feels just as excited as when she began teaching.

“The natural light brings me so much joy and all of the collaborative spaces and stairs make me feel like I am in a college-like environment,” said Meza, AP World History and AP US History Teacher and Social Studies Department Chair. “I've always felt happy coming to work because of my coworkers, but this year, with the addition of the new building (that includes shared department workspaces), I feel like I just have to smile all of the time!” 

This year’s senior class has seen each phase - one year in the previous building, two years in the modular classrooms, and now one final year in the new building. 

“Everyone who’s seen the new building knows it is absolutely incredible - the artwork, the furniture, the new technology in the classrooms - everything is a huge upgrade and will definitely make not only learning for students a more enjoyable process but I have already seen the positive impact it has on staff,” said Veer Patel, senior and Student Council President.

The new building was funded by School Bond 2023. Additional bond construction updates around Alamo Heights ISD can be found on the district’s website.