New Fort Worth ISD arts & STEM center to open next fall

A $41 million performing arts and STEM high school will open in Fort Worth ISD next year.

The campus will include a mix of new construction and the renovation of a historic campus, the former I.M. Terrell Elementary.

More than $41 million from a 2013 bond election is taking shape with the new performing arts and STEM campus just east of downtown Fort Worth.

The new school will give a sweeping view of the city and multiple state-of-the-art theaters.

Baldwin Brown, the school's principal, says the 900-seat performance hall is the campus' crown jewel.

"This is a 65,000 square foot performing arts center. It will seat roughly 913 individuals,” Brown said. “And there's a black box theater next door that will seat an additional 150 to 175."

The former elementary campus is now two schools under one umbrella: Performing Arts and STEM.

"The board and members of the administrative staff traveled around. I think they even went as far as New York to look at the way things had been done in other places,” said Fort Worth ISD Spokesperson Clint Bond. “So this was an opportunity for us to do this and combine the two.”

After auditions and a selection process, the first students will call the academy home next fall.

"We want this to be a campus where students can really come and not only find themselves but develop into what they want to be in the future,” Brown said.

About 200 ninth grade students are expected the first year. The school will then add another grade each year.