Northwest Independent School District (ISD) has announced the location of its first Early Childhood Center (ECC), a facility approved by voters in the 2023 bond election. The center, designed to serve pre-kindergarten students, will be situated off FM 156, between Hillshire Drive and East Bonds Ranch Road in far north Fort Worth.
Scheduled to open in August 2026, this new ECC will be the first of four such centers approved by voters. Locations for the remaining three centers are still under review.
In addition to the announcement, the district is awaiting updates from the upcoming state legislative session regarding school funding. Northwest ISD is also evaluating potential budget cuts after a recent voter rejection of a school funding referendum. Currently, Texas school districts receive half-day funding for full-day pre-K programs for eligible students, which has raised concerns about sustainability.
The Early Childhood Centers are part of Northwest ISD’s strategy to address the growing demand for pre-K education. Enrollment has surged this year, with more than 900 pre-K students, up from 565 students in the 2022-2023 school year. While each elementary school in the district offers pre-K classes, the new ECCs aim to provide additional support and expand access to early education.
The district has not yet determined exact timelines for the second, third, and fourth ECCs. However, each future center will be located in a distinct area of the district—north, east, or west—to better serve the community, with further announcements to follow.
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