September 15, 2022
On Saturday, September 10, the community was invited to a special event, KMS Demo Day, to take a final stroll through the 45-year-old original Kingwood Middle School campus, see the brand new campus that opened to students in August of this school year, purchase memorabilia and participate in some fun demolition activities.
Kingwood Middle School, which opened in 1977, was replaced with a brand new campus this school year using Bond 2018 funds to provide students with an educational facility comparable to schools built more recently. The new campus is in the same location as the original, at 2407 Pine Terrace in Kingwood. The current phase of the bond project includes the demolition of the existing building to make room for a new track and athletic field.
Hundreds of people turned out Saturday to bid farewell to the old school building. The morning started with a final walk through of the old campus. Kingwood Middle School alumni could be seen finding their old lockers, pointing out where they sat at lunch, and visiting favorite classrooms.
“We had many former teachers, students, and families attend on Saturday,” Donald Bodron, Humble ISD Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools, said. “They all seemed to enjoy taking one last look at the campus.”
The new Kingwood Middle School was open for walk-thrus on Saturday, as well. The new campus, designed by Kirksey Architects, features spaces for collaboration and project-based learning, safety and technology enhancements, and lots of natural light. The new design also reduces traffic congestion around the school with better access for student pickups and dropoffs.
Michael Curl, Kingwood Middle School Principal, was among the many staff members celebrating the day.
“The event was definitely a highlight of my tenure here at KMS,” Curl said. “The whole time I've been here, we've been working toward this moment, but seeing so many people come from across the greater Houston area to say goodbye to the old building was an amazing testament to the legacy of KMS Cougar Pride.”
Tickets were sold to take part in a special demolition and spray paint activity on the walls of the original school. Flintco Construction, who built the new Kingwood Middle School, provided food trucks at the event, along with safety equipment for those who participated in the demolition activity.
It was a nostalgic day for those in attendance, with many taking home pieces of the old building as keepsakes. Locker doors, bricks, and gym flooring memorabilia were all available for purchase.
“Many bought bricks, or their old locker fronts, and some even helped out with doing some demolition with a sledge hammer or spray painting a note on the walls that are set to fall soon,” Bodron said. “We were so glad that everyone had an opportunity to come out and take one last look at a building that has meant so much to so many people in the Kingwood community and Humble ISD.”
Demolition and spray painting activities were a popular part of the KMS Demo Day on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
After the demolition of the former KMS building, which is expected to be done by January 2023, a new athletic field and track will be constructed. The entire project is currently scheduled to be completed by April 2023.
Looking forward to the future, Principal Curl added, “There is a lot of optimism for what's next in the new KMS. We hope to keep the alumni active as we grow in the new building, “ Curl said. “It's only up from here.”
Pictured with the KMS cheer and dance team members are back row from left: Humble ISD Board Trustees Robert Scrafo, Chris Parker, Nancy Morrison, Robert Sitton and Marques Holmes.