New Haygood Elementary Opens in Fulshear to Serve Rapid Growth in Fort Bend County
A vibrant new chapter in education has begun in Fort Bend County with the grand opening of Haygood Elementary School, the first of three new campuses planned for the Cross Creek West master-planned community. Designed by Pfluger Architects and built by Drymalla Construction, the 110,000-square-foot school is a cornerstone of Lamar Consolidated ISD’s vision to serve the area’s surging population of young families.
Funded by the district’s 2022 $1.5 billion bond package, Haygood Elementary officially opened its doors in January 2026, welcoming up to 854 students to a bright, inclusive, and future-forward learning environment. The school features 46 classrooms, a spacious 4,200-square-foot library, and a design that emphasizes natural light, security, and imaginative spaces that reflect the values of the Fulshear community.
“This school is the first iteration of Lamar CISD’s new prototype,” said Christian Owens, Principal Design Director at Pfluger Architects. “The design had to function as a repeatable model—simple, efficient, and flexible enough to adapt to different sites, orientations, and conditions while still maintaining a strong identity and consistent learning experience."
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Lamar CISD is one of Texas’ fastest-growing school districts, currently serving nearly 49,000 students across 57 campuses and anticipating that number will rise to 70,000 within the next decade. Located in the booming western Houston suburb of Fulshear, Haygood Elementary is designed to meet the demands of a diversifying community drawn to the area’s top-rated schools, thoughtful urban planning, and strong family-oriented culture.
The school’s architecture strikes a delicate balance between standardized, cost-effective design and personalized, site-specific features. Learning communities are structured to foster both collaboration and independence, while glass walls and interconnected courtyards foster curiosity and connection among students. The use of natural daylight—complemented by energy-efficient shading and secure glazing—promotes a sense of openness without compromising safety.
“Haygood demonstrates that a school can be both safe and inspiring,” said Raleigh Sullivan, Principal at Pfluger’s Houston office. “It welcomes natural light and the outdoors using strategies like enclosed courtyards and protective shading, without sacrificing openness. These are spaces that are adaptable, inspiring, and deeply human."
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The school was named in honor of longtime Lamar CISD educators James Richard and Marinella Haygood, whose decades of service left an enduring impact on the district. Playful hedgehog graphics—matching the school’s mascot—can be found throughout the campus, reflecting the couple’s commitment to creativity, the arts, and joyful learning.
“Haygood Elementary and its programs were designed with the future in mind,” said Dr. Shannon Hood, Lamar CISD Area Superintendent. “We want every child here to feel inspired to explore, question, and grow. Haygood isn’t just a school—it’s a launchpad for lifelong learning. Since the campus opened, the halls have been filled with energy, joy, and a true sense of community."
As Fort Bend County continues to grow, Haygood Elementary stands as a model of how thoughtful, flexible school design can respond to rapid change while nurturing the hearts and minds of its students. The success of this prototype signals a promising future for the additional campuses planned in Cross Creek West—and for the many families putting down roots in one of Texas’ most dynamic regions.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
