Lamar CISD Opens New and Innovative Facilities, Expanding Opportunities for Students

Lamar CISD welcomed community members and partners to celebrate the opening of two highly specialized campuses intended to meet the diverse needs of students across the district and provide expanded opportunities for learning, skill development, and future success. Both campuses will welcome students on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, for the first day of school.

The first ceremony celebrated the opening of the Lamar CISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, located at 1155 Hartledge Road, Rosenberg, TX 77479.

Students, families, district leaders, community businesses, and industry partners gathered to celebrate and tour the new facility, including community partners Durotech and Stantec.

The 2022 bond election provided voter-approved funding for the new CTE Center under Proposition B, which hosts several programs of study, including Architecture and Construction, Arts Audio/Video Technology and Communications, Drones, Cosmetology, Health Science, Culinary Arts, Robotics, Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics. The CTE Center will serve students from all seven high schools within the district.

Students have access to industry-standard equipment and learning environments designed to mirror today's workplaces, allowing them to build technical skills and earn industry-recognized certifications.

Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens challenged students to take full advantage of the opportunities offered through the new facility, encouraging them to find their niche, explore their interests and develop the skills that will help them succeed in the future.

"As Lamar CISD continues to grow, now having more than 50,000 students, we have a responsibility to ensure that our facilities and programs grow with us," Dr. Nivens said. "This facility was built with our students at the heart of every decision. Every student deserves access to opportunities that inspire them, challenge them and prepare them for their future.”

Following the ribbon cutting, guests gathered inside for a dedication ceremony featuring remarks from Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, Board of Trustees member Zach Lambert, Executive Director of CTE and Career Readiness Dr. Kayse Lazar and CTE Center Principal Juan Nava.

Attendees then toured the campus, visiting classrooms and labs that will soon provide students with hands-on learning experiences in multiple fields.

"Let us remember that we are not simply opening a building. We are opening doors. Doors to opportunity. Doors to discovery. Doors to innovation. Doors to careers that will shape our economy and strengthen our community. Most importantly, we are opening doors to brighter futures for the students of Lamar CISD," Dr. Lazar said.

The celebration continued in Beasley with the opening of Bright Futures Academy at Beasley Elementary, located at 7511 Avenue J, Beasley, TX 77417.

Developed through a partnership between Lamar CISD and Lamar Legacy Partners, Bright Futures Academy at Beasley Elementary was created to provide specialized educational opportunities for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in an environment designed to support each student’s unique strengths and learning needs.

Serving students from Early Childhood through second grade, the academy emphasizes individualized instruction, evidence-based practices and strong partnerships with families to help every student reach their fullest potential.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests headed inside for a program featuring remarks from Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, Board of Trustees President Jacci Hotzel, and members of the Bright Futures Academy at Beasley Elementary team.

"Bright Futures Academy is more than a school. It is a community where relationships come first, families are valued as partners, and students are empowered to grow in ways that honor their individual strengths and needs," Principal Toni Scott said.

Guests also heard from a panel of the academy's inaugural staff members, who shared what it means to help launch the campus and their excitement for the students and families they will serve.

"This learning environment is truly individualized for each student," Chelsea Brown said, a former Terry High School graduate, who brings more than a decade of experience in education and behavioral support. "I feel like we have put in the effort to ensure each student is seen, each family member is heard, that families have a sense of relief and peace when they come here, and they feel like home."

Assistant Principal Lauren Crew spoke on the opportunities she hopes Bright Futures Academy at Beasley Elementary can create for students.

"I see us breaking down the silos. Instead of everyone working individually, we're going to work as a team," Assistant Principal Crew said. "We're going to connect academics, specialized support, therapy, family and community partners, instead of treating them as separate pieces."

The academy serves nearly 90 families across Lamar CISD and is built on the belief that every student deserves to be seen, valued, and supported.

"Nothing is going to work the same for every child. And sometimes you have to think outside of the box, and I think that's what we're doing here,” Ember Freitas said, who joins Bright Futures Academy as a teacher.

Although each campus serves a different purpose, both reflect Lamar CISD's commitment to creating innovative learning environments that meet students where they are and prepare them for what's next.

Whether students are discovering a future career, earning industry credentials or learning in an environment intentionally designed to support their individual needs, the CTE Center and Bright Futures Academy represent the district's continued investment in student success.