LRFPC Recommendation
The committee has recommended that the district move forward with building a second comprehensive high school.

DSHS Capacity and Projected High School Growth 

• Right now, DSHS is at 93% capacity. 
• The campus is projected to be at or above 122% capacity by the 2025-2026 school year and 133% capacity the following year (2026-2027). 
• It takes approximately 4 years to design and construct a comprehensive high school.

The Committee's Process
The LRFPC spent a significant amount of time exploring the options available to DSISD to support the growth that is coming. The committee looked at models from across the state and studied 5 different high school pathways including:

• Build a second comprehensive high school
• Continue to expand Dripping Springs High School (currently built to support 2,500 students)
• Construct a ninth-grade center
• Build separate campuses for 9/10 and 11/12 grades
• Implement a choice campus concept. 

High School Pathways Considered (PDF)

Recommendation Rationale 
The committee made the recommendation to build a second comprehensive high school because:

• Build a Second Comprehensive High School (Recommended)
  • In considering campus size, the committee strongly preferred a 2,500 student capacity for high school campuses.
  • DSISD's high school enrollment is expected to climb to more than 4,000 students by 2029-30 and more than 7,300 students once the district is built-out.
  • 7,300 student high school enrollment would require three 2,500-student capacity campuses.
  • Traffic could be better dispersed with a second high school on the east side of the district.
    
    
• Continue to Expand Dripping Springs High School
  • Campus would need to support the estimated 7,300 high school students in Dripping Springs ISD.
  • Would contribute to already congested traffic in the community and around the high school campus (especially on 290 and RR12). 
  • Limits total student involvement in programming and extracurriculars.
  • Large building footprint requires longer passing periods for students and extends the school day. 
  • Insufficient land to expand DSHS to support the growth.
    
    
• Construct a Ninth-Grade Center
  • Only a temporary solution for the district.
  • Most ninth-grade campuses are in close proximity to a high school and that is not a viable option for DSISD.
  • Limits schedule for students who want to pursue advanced programming and extracurricular opportunities.
  • Creates a need for additional bussing of students for acceleration.
  • Would add an additional transition for students. Can create challenges for families with siblings at more school sites.
  • Will still need additional expansion of facilities to accommodate the total projected growth.
    
    
• Build Separate Campuses for 9/10 and 11/12 Grades
  • Can cost as much as a second comprehensive high school to build.
  • Limitations around land and proximity.
  • Limits schedule for students who want to pursue advanced programming and extracurricular opportunities.
  • Creates a need for additional bussing of students for acceleration.
  • Would add an additional transition for students. Can create challenges for families with siblings at more school sites.
  • Sites not central in the community and could perpetuate transportation issues.
  • Will still need additional expansion of facilities to accommodate the total projected growth.
    
    
• Implement a Choice Campus Concept
  
  • Smaller program model. It does not address total high school student growth needs.
  • Most districts that deploy this model draw from many high schools. 
  • Would not provide a comprehensive high school experience for students.
  • Would not improve traffic congestion.
  • By nature, this model limits student programming and extracurriculars.

What is included in a comprehensive high school?
The second comprehensive high school would include a main campus with similar type student programming including core spaces, academics, fine arts, and athletics. Standard athletic facilities at a high school include competition gym spaces and practice/competition fields with small spectator stands for soccer, lacrosse, and sub-varsity football. The site would also include baseball and softball fields, track facilities, and tennis courts. 

Dripping Springs High School Aerial