Highland Lakes High School Project Continues to Move Forward

Lake Travis ISD continues to make steady progress on the development of Highland Lakes High School, the district's second comprehensive high school approved by voters in the November 2022 bond election. Designed to support future enrollment growth while providing long-term flexibility, the campus remains on schedule to welcome its first students in August 2029.

Meeting the District's Long-Term Growth Needs

Highland Lakes High School will be located off Reimers-Peacock Road near State Highway 71 in western Travis County. The campus was originally planned to address projected enrollment growth of up to 5,500 high school-aged students within Lake Travis ISD boundaries.

Following Travis County's purchase of approximately 2,133 acres for conservation purposes, the amount of land available for residential development was reduced, lowering the district's projected high school enrollment to approximately 5,000 students at full build-out.

In response, the district adjusted the scope of the project to construct a 1,500-student campus with the ability to expand to 2,000 students in the future if enrollment warrants. This approach reflects Lake Travis ISD's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars while maintaining flexibility to meet future needs.

Project Milestones

Since voters approved the project, the Board of Trustees has taken several significant steps to advance construction:

• January 2024: The Board selected American Constructors as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the project.
• March 2025: Trustees approved an $11.88 million contract with Liberty Civil Construction to complete roadway improvements along Reimers-Peacock Road in preparation for the new campus.
• March 2025: The Board approved initial construction agreements with American Constructors.
• September 2025: Trustees approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Phase 1, totaling $46.36 million, to begin site preparation and utility infrastructure work.
• February 2026: The Board officially named the campus Highland Lakes High School and selected blue, green and white as the school's official colors. The mascot will be selected through a student-led process following attendance rezoning, giving future students the opportunity to help shape the school's identity and traditions.
• June 2026: The Board approved the final Guaranteed Maximum Price of $299.5 million for construction of Highland Lakes High School and authorized the Superintendent to execute the agreement with American Constructors. The final GMP incorporates all previously approved Phase 1 work and reflects continued collaboration among district staff, the design team and construction partners to refine project plans and costs.

Construction Timeline

While the project timeline was adjusted due to a longer-than-anticipated permitting process through Travis County, construction remains on schedule:

• Construction Begins: Summer 2026
• Construction Complete: Spring 2029
• School Opens: August 2029

Highland Lakes High School will initially serve ninth and tenth grade students, adding one grade level each year. The Class of 2032 will become the school's first graduating class.

Looking Ahead

As construction progresses, several important milestones remain, including attendance rezoning, staff and equipment transitions, and the student-led selection of the school's mascot and logo.

These efforts, combined with continued community engagement, will help establish a strong foundation for Highland Lakes High School and ensure the campus is ready to serve students and families for generations to come.

Lake Travis ISD remains committed to thoughtful planning, responsible fiscal stewardship, and providing outstanding educational opportunities as the district continues to grow.

The opening of Elementary School #8 is being delayed from its original opening date of August 2026 due to enrollment not reaching the projected levels needed to justify a new campus. According to our latest demographic study, this trend is influenced by several factors:

• Rising Housing Costs: Since 2020, home prices in our district have increased significantly, impacting families' ability to move into the area.
• Interest Rates: Higher interest rates have slowed home turnover, further reducing the influx of new families. 
• Kindergarten Class Size: The kindergarten class size has steadily decreased for the past four years which will have a cumulative impact on future enrollment as students move through the upper grades.

While these factors have led to slower enrollment growth, we will continue to closely monitor student population trends to determine the best time to proceed with the campus. Elementary School #8, to be located adjacent to the Provence community on Hamilton Pool Road in Bee Cave, will be designed to serve grades K-5 with a capacity for 850 students, including a Child Development Center. The district will need approximately 16-18 months to construct the school.