Richardson Council Clears Way for Major Middle School Expansion

Richardson City Council on December 8 approved rezoning that enables Richardson North Junior High to be expanded and renovated into Richardson Independent School Districts third middle school. The decision removes a key regulatory barrier and sets the project on a path toward design and construction, bringing substantial physical and enrollment changes to the building and to nearby neighborhoods.

The renovation will enlarge the facility from about 94,000 square feet to roughly 228,016 square feet, an increase of 134,016 square feet or approximately 143 percent. Planned improvements include a new gym, updated career and technical education space, expanded fine arts facilities, larger dining and administration areas, and athletic upgrades. Those additions aim to modernize program space and accommodate larger student bodies and extracurricular activities.

Enrollment projections show growth in the near term and beyond. Current enrollment at the site is about 592 students. The district expects initial enrollment of roughly 700 students in the first year after conversion, with further growth anticipated toward 1,000 students as Richardson ISD reconfigures grade assignments across its campuses. The expanded building would yield about 326 square feet per student at 700 students, and about 228 square feet per student at 1,000 students, compared with about 159 square feet per student under the current configuration.

For Collin County families within Richardson ISD attendance zones, the changes mean more middle school seats and expanded program offerings in career and fine arts fields. The enlarged facility should relieve capacity pressures as the district adjusts grade assignments, but it may also bring increased traffic and demand for parking on school days. Construction activity will create short term job opportunities in construction and trades, while the long term presence of a larger, modernized middle school could influence housing demand and neighborhood amenities near the campus.

With rezoning approved, project leaders will proceed with the next planning steps. Exact construction timelines and budgets remain subject to district approvals and procurement, but the council vote marks a decisive milestone in reshaping middle school capacity and programming for Richardson ISD and the Collin County communities it serves.