DeSoto ISD To Open Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy

DESOTO, TX — DeSoto Independent School District's Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy is slated to open its doors August 15 to nearly 900 students between Kindergarten and fifth grade.

The 109,500-square-foot, two-story building, designed by the Dallas office of Perkins+Will, will allow students to learn in a future-oriented atmosphere focused on robotics, computer science and coding, digital art and music.

Located at 1200 Academy Way in DeSoto, the Magnet Academy will bring technology-based, educational opportunities to DeSoto ISD’s youngest students, setting them up for success in the nation’s fastest-growing industries, the district said in a press release.

The academy was named in a community-wide vote after Katherine Johnson, one of the first African-American mathematicians to work for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which later became NASA.

The district said the academy is a proactive step in providing the latest technology and teaching strategy through a public school system.

The school reimagines educational facilities to better support the innovative learning and instructional practices necessary for 21st century education.

With an emphasis on STEM and outdoor learning, the school offers students ample opportunity to join in on project-based, collaborative learning in a state-of-the-art building that’s environmentally friendly and energy conservative. The facility’s design is accented by four, secure outdoor learning environments accessible by students.

Upon entry, a set of stacked computer labs showcase the school’s academic, technology-centric focus. On the upper level, high-tech robotics and science labs share an outdoor learning lab. And, the exterior designs of the robotics and science classrooms mimic the personality of the robotics and computer science programs by applying a binary code pattern to the windows in conjunction with colored metal panels. To foster creativity through digital media, art and music, the Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy features a centralized, two-story media center at the heart of the school. Other music and art spaces include digital production labs, a voiceover studio, an AV broadcast space and an art lab with access to a private outdoor art and sculpture area.

Spread across both levels of the school, each grade level has its own dedicated collaboration space equipped with the needed technology and furniture for flexible learning. The variety of outdoor learning areas encourage student engagement and teamwork and provide daylight and easy access to outside activities.

Image via DeSoto ISD
Report compiled with information from a DeSoto ISD press release