Not only is Dripping Springs known as the Wedding Capital of Texas, but it is revered for its exceptional schools. As growth continues, more facilities are needed to accommodate the influx of students. One community in the middle of the school district recently announced the transfer of 64 acres of land to Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) to serve as a new location for future schools.
Freehold Communities, developer of Vital Communities nationwide, detailed the future development opportunities in the area along the western boarder of its Dripping Springs community, Headwaters.
“New schools within a highly rated district will greatly benefit our current and future residents and Dripping Springs as a whole.” stated Matt D. Matthews, Freehold Division President, Texas. “We were pleased to be able to incorporate the school site into the land plan while maintaining 1,000 acres of open space throughout Headwaters.”
DSISD is in the northwest portion of Hays County, approximately 20 miles west of Austin. The district has seven campuses: One high school, two middle schools and four elementary schools. There are nearly 7,200 students within the district which encompasses about 200 square miles.
Currently the following construction is underway thanks to the 2018-approved $132 million construction bond:
· Renovations and additions to Dripping Springs High School are on track for completion within the 2020-21 school year.
· The school’s new, two-story career and technical education wing addition, updates to the school’s existing agriculture barn and the construction of a multipurpose flex space gymnasium are all underway.
· Walnut Springs Elementary School, located at 300 Sportsplex Drive, is being relocated to move students away from an aging facility. The existing Walnut Springs campus will then be used as administrative space in the future and will provide more space for the Child Development Center currently at the admin.
· DSISD is also planning the construction of a fifth elementary school to accommodate projected growth in the district, and the land at Headwaters would most likely be the sixth elementary and third middle school if needed.
State standardized test results and district performance information can be found on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. As of 2020, the district’s graduation rate was 100%, with more than 70% attending four-year colleges. For more information on Dripping Springs schools, visit www.dsisdtx.us
