Editor’s Note: The video above is from November 2023, when Del Valle ISD broke ground on its new high school.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Construction is underway on a second high school in Del Valle Independent School District, and the board of trustees will soon be voting on a name for the new school.
The district recently held a public submission period where people could nominate names for the school, along with reasons why they believe that name should be chosen. In total, 258 nominations were received, some giving a nod to the geographic location of the new school, while others nominated influential people in the community and beyond.
The school will be located in the Whisper Valley neighborhood in the northern end of the district. As such, Whisper Valley High School was the most popular name suggestion, with 39 nominations.
“It reflects both the location and the spirit of the community it will serve,” one nomination said. “The name builds continuity with the district’s existing high school, Del Valle High School, by maintaining the ‘valley’ connection while establishing its own unique identity. This balance of familiarity and individuality ensures that Whisper Valley High School will be instantly recognizable as part of the district’s family of schools, while also giving its students, staff and community the opportunity to take pride in a name that is distinctly their own.”
Another nomination said Whisper Valley High School sounds like it “could be in a movie or the name of a book series.”
There were also eight nominations for Whisper Valle High School — in a subtle nod to the district’s name, Del Valle.
Several nominations suggested naming the school after specific individuals. Twelve people suggested naming the school after Maurice Walker, Sr., the first African American to serve on the district’s board of trustees.
“Naming the school after Maurice Walker, Sr. would be a meaningful way to honor someone whose life was deeply woven into the fabric of our community,” one nomination said. “His [underlying] dedication reflects the values of service, leadership and commitment to people and education that we want to instill in future generations. A school that carries his name would remind students, families and staff every day of the impact one person can make through hard work, humility and service to others.”
Eight nominations came in for Andrew Zuniga High School, recognizing a popular high school teacher in the district who died in 2024. There were also eight nominations for Bernard Blanchard High School, named after the district’s former superintendent who had been with Del Valle ISD for almost 40 years. Another recommended Bernard Blanchard Memorial High School.
Other nominations came in to name the school after Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Elon Musk and even Matthew McConaughey.
“[McConaughey’s] from Texas and loves and is very involved in the Austin community,” the nomination said. “I think this would be a wonderful name for the new high school. He is an amazing example of a good person for our children and community to look up to.”
How will the name be chosen?
After the public submission period ended, a nine-person committee reviewed all the nominations. Each board member appointed someone to the committee, while an administrator was be appointed by the superintendent.
The committee will make recommendations to the board at Tuesday’s meeting. The board will then have to wait at least two weeks before adopting a final name.
What will the new school be like?
Whatever name is chosen, the new school is set to open in the fall of 2027. The 430,000-square-foot building is being built in the Whisper Valley neighborhood off Taylor Lane, north of Webberville Road.
“The new building will use a geothermal energy system and is solar-ready — an energy-conscious design compatible with Whisper Valley’s focus on environmental responsibility,” Pfluger Architects said in a press release. “Additionally, condensation from the HVAC system will be collected and reused on-site for irrigation, reducing water demand on city infrastructure. Pfluger sourced local and naturally occurring materials for the structure, including Texas limestone and locally manufactured brick.”
The school’s design is shaped around open courtyards and promenades, meaning all classrooms will have “ample natural light and outdoor views,” Pfluger Architects said.
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Rendering of the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects) -
Rendering of the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects) -
Rendering of the cafeteria at the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects) -
Rendering of the courtyard at the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects) -
Rendering of the auditorium at the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects) -
Rendering of the gym at the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects) -
Rendering of the stadium at the new high school under construction at Del Valle ISD. (Courtesy Pfluger Architects)
“Central to the whole design is the Learning Courtyard that creates both visual and physical connections — encouraging interaction and supporting a sense of belonging across campus,” Heather Rule, senior project manager, said. “The design was inspired by vibrant city centers where people naturally gather, connect, and learn from one another. This vision aligns with the diverse Del Valle community and reflects a desire to create a welcoming environment where different cultures, experiences and voices are celebrated equitably.”
Why is a new school needed?
After several years of decline, enrollment in Del Valle ISD has been increasing steadily since 2020, spurred on by new development in the southeastern portion of Travis County. As of the 2024-25 school year, 11,715 students were enrolled in the district, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.
Del Valle High School, currently the district’s only high school, has a capacity of 2,700, but enrollment in the school is closer to 3,600. District leaders have been pushing for funding to build a second high school to alleviate capacity concerns for years.
In 2022, voters approved a $300 million bond to help pay for the new school. The district then broke ground on the new campus in November 2023.
“This is going to be a world-class facility. What you’ll see in this new building is that it’s every bit as equitable as the current comprehensive high school,” then-Superintendent Annette Tielle said at the groundbreaking. “We will be able to offer all the programs that we offer at the comprehensive high school, like our CTE programs.”
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