Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Spring Branch ISD held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 6, celebrating the spectacular new Stratford High School (SHS) Auditorium and other campus improvements.

The ceremony included a musical performance by SHS Choir, band and orchestra students, a dance performance by Spartanaire Dance Team and a theater performance by Stratford Playhouse. Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance were led by the SBISD NJROTC and SHS Student Council president, Valentina Chelala.

View full gallery from the ribbon cutting ceremony here.

The 35,405 square-foot auditorium addition, built with funding from the 2017 Bond, provides seating for 1,000 and brings incredible style and functionality to the auditorium, which supports the award-winning drama program Stratford Playhouse.

The auditorium design was a collabo­ration between SBISD, PBK Architects and the project advisory team, comprised of staff, students and parents. Satterfield & Pontikes Construction served as the Construction Manager at Risk for the project.

Details of the new auditorium complement the style and design of Stratford. The west facade features brick artwork in the shape of the school’s spartan mascot. The auditorium has an outdoor plaza and a large two-story open lobby area. Inside, the 1,000-seat auditorium has the latest in sound, lighting and acoustics.

“While we may not have green chairs or a green curtain, we have green lights,” Stratford Principal Raymorris Barnes said during the ceremony.

“There’s so much more to this auditorium than what you see here; it’s the heart and spirit of this community. You won’t hear the words ‘mine’ or ‘my’, you will hear ‘ours.’ This auditorium belongs to the people of this community, and we can’t wait to return the investment to those who have invested in Stratford,” Barnes added. 

Students have already begun utilizing the space, and Stratford Playhouse will hold their first official performance, "Peter Pan," there later this month, opening April 22.

In remarks during the ceremony, Stratford Playhouse Artistic Director CeCe Prudhomme told attendees, “We [Stratford Playhouse] are so glad to be home.”

Additional work throughout the existing campus was also completed, which helps to support and enhance the overall campus use and function. Improvements include the replacement of roof top mechanical units, new roofing systems, additional air conditioning to corridors, two additional classrooms, four extra flex learning spaces and updates to the lobby, reception and clinic areas. The cafeteria also now opens to the commons area and a collaborative learning space.

Upgrades to the athletics facilities include the replacement of the two gym floors and bleachers and the installation of a synthetic turf play field.

View the complete Bond 2017 summary of work for Stratford High School.

Approved by 80 percent of the vote in November 2017, the 2017 Bond Program continues the transformation of district facilities that began with the 2007 Bond Program.