Brownfield ISD — Brownfield High School
Architect: Parkhill
““We have been able to accomplish success that has not traditionally been accomplished in schools with our demographics, We have changed the efficacy of our community for decades to come”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
The new Brownfield High School is a 3A rural campus built to transform both student futures and community identity in Brownfield, Texas. At approximately $237 per square foot—during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—this efficient yet ambitious project strategically incorporated an organized structural grid and PEMB CTE wing allowing for a sunken competition gym and maximizing every dollar spent. The leading-edge facility houses a dedicated career and technical education (CTE) wing, complete with industry-level labs and classrooms supporting programs such as patient care, automotive tech, welding, and drone piloting.
The building’s layout promotes flexibility, with open collaboration areas, daylight-filled labs, and multipurpose spaces that mimic collegiate environments. Its design supports a college and career readiness model, underscored by over $1 million in career equipment grants and a 95% certification achievement rate among its first graduating class.
In Brownfield, where many students grow up with limited resources and big dreams, basketball has always been a source of purpose. The new state-of-the-art competition gym is more than a facility it’s a symbol of belief in these students’ futures. For kids who come to school to play ball and stay in class to stay eligible, the gym has become a reason to show up. Attendance is up, school pride is strong, and the whole town feels the impact.
This space promotes more than athleticism it supports wellness, motivation, and belonging. It tells students: you are seen, and your goals matter.
In Brownfield, the gym is more than a building it’s a launchpad. It’s where hard work meets opportunity, and where young athletes learn that they can rise, both on the court and beyond it.
With a new superintendent and a new energy, transformation has occurred in this rural West Texas school. C-US Rise became the mantra and the challenge put forth from this new energetic administration and the new facility designs had to follow.
A building designed as adaptable as the students who use it — a space that flexes with technology, careers, and the ever-changing world.
We knew from day one: college isn’t the only path. So we built a place where careers are born – on the ground, in the trades. You don’t need a four-year degree to be world-class. You need tools, opportunity, and a building that believes in you. That’s what we set out to create.”
Design
““We have been able to accomplish success that has not traditionally been accomplished in schools with our demographics, We have changed the efficacy of our community for decades to come”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
The facility’s design prioritizes student-centered learning, blending traditional instruction with collaborative, adaptive spaces that promote hands-on exploration. A highly efficient structural grid supports a cost-effective yet inspiring design, including a sunken gymnasium that aligns with budget priorities while enhancing the student experience. Built during the constraints of the COVID era at an impressive $237 per square foot, the building achieves a balance between form and function.
The gym, research lab, and science courtyard are not only educational tools but also anchors for after-hours community use—graduations, events, and joint programs with the neighboring middle school thrive in these shared areas. Instructional spaces are purposefully adaptable, accommodating collaborative learning and individual instruction. From its tech-rich classrooms to the dynamic career and technical education wing, the design ensures students are prepared for an evolving workforce, all within an environment that feels empowering and student-centered.
TRAIN FUTURE INDUSTRY
“We designed a building as adaptable as the students who use it — a space that flexes with technology, careers, and the changing world around them.”
-Brownfield Business Leader”
Value
““We have been able to accomplish success that has not traditionally been accomplished in schools with our demographics, We have changed the efficacy of our community for decades to come”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
Maximizing value was central to this project. Creative cost-saving measures, like implementing metal building construction for the CTE and practice gym, kept the project within budget without sacrificing quality. Strategic grant funding and industry partnerships have contributed more than $1 million dollars for state-of-the-art equipment, reinforcing workforce readiness across multiple programs.
The efficient planning extended to construction methods, energy efficiency and lifecycle cost considerations, reduced the future maintenance burdens and increased long-term adaptability. These smart choices ensure the building remains a durable and financially sustainable asset to the district and surrounding communities.
A building designed as adaptable as the students who use it — a space that flexes with technology, careers, and the changing world around them.
Flexible glass partitions and movable white board partitions enhance flexibility and allow the spaces to be expanded or secured based on the event or activity.
- Facility designed to facilitate over 1 MILLION DOLLARS In Career Readiness equipment grants
- Socio Economically disadvantaged 82.4%
- High School Attendance climbing 91%-95%
- Students who met College, Career, and Military Readiness standards 95%
- Became a PTECH High School in 2023
- 2018 Historically low performer to 2025 Regional Leader”
Wellness
““We have been able to accomplish success that has not traditionally been accomplished in schools with our demographics, We have changed the efficacy of our community for decades to come”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
Designed with the whole student in mind, wellness was embedded in every facet of the school. Natural daylight fills the research lab and gymnasium, creating energizing spaces that support both mental focus and physical health. The building’s layout includes a centrally located counseling center with easy hallway access, emphasizing emotional support and accessibility.
A dedicated outdoor learning courtyard, connected to the science wing, provides a stimulating environment for both learning and reflection. In a district serving many socioeconomically disadvantaged students, these features offer equity in access to nourishing, uplifting, and inclusive spaces that foster student success.
Designed as an intentional extension of the academic core, the courtyard connects indoor learning with outdoor wellness framing science labs with natural views and providing a secure, adaptable space for study, lunch, and connection.
Flexible glass partitions and movable white board partitions enhance flexibility and allow the spaces to be expanded or secured based on the event or activity.
Daylight is key to wellness but so is control. With the right shades and daylighting strategies, we create spaces that support health, comfort, and focus all day long.
In Brownfield, where many students grow up with limited resources and big dreams, basketball has always been a source of purpose. The new state-of-the-art competition gym is more than a facility it’s a symbol of belief in these students’ futures. For kids who come to school to play ball and stay in class to stay eligible, the gym has become a reason to show up. Attendance is up, school pride is strong, and the whole town feels the impact.
This space promotes more than athleticism it supports wellness, motivation, and belonging. It tells students: you are seen, and your goals matter.
In Brownfield, the gym is more than a building it’s a launchpad. It’s where hard work meets opportunity, and where young athletes learn that they can rise, both on the court and beyond it.”
Community
““Industry leaders and partners in the community are helping train the future industry”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
Brownfield High School is more than a place of learning—it’s a community anchor. Local industry partners donated essential equipment to support high-demand skills in automotive, welding, and other trades, equipping students for real-world opportunities. The gymnasium serves multiple community functions, including regional graduations, basketball tournaments, playoff games and public events, while the storm-ready basement offers added safety.
By addressing traffic patterns, improving aesthetics, and contributing to economic uplift, the school has strengthened Brownfield’s social fabric. It is a welcoming, secure, and inclusive environment where all community members feel represented and valued.
Brownfield Hish School has transformed the Brownfield community bringing together students, teachers, families, and now the local business sector in a shared vision for the future. Fueled by over $1 million dollars in groundbreaking grants and partnerships, the school has become a powerhouse for workforce readiness. From simulated welding equipment to Pharmacy Tech labs, this facility has sparked a new culture of learning, excellence, and ambition unlike anything Brownfield has ever seen.
- Socio Economically disadvantaged 82.4%
- High School Attendance climbing 91%-95%
- Students who met College, Career, and Military Readiness standards 95%
- Became a PTECH High School in 2023
- 2018 Historically low performer to 2025 Regional Leader
In Brownfield, where many students grow up with limited resources and big dreams, basketball has always been a source of purpose. The new state-of-the-art competition gym is more than a facility it’s a symbol of belief in these students’ futures.
For kids who come to school to play ball and stay in class to stay eligible, the gym has become a reason to show up. Attendance is up, school pride is strong, and the whole town feels the impact.
This space promotes more than athleticism it supports community, motivation, and belonging. It tells students: you are seen, and your goals matter.
In Brownfield, the gym is more than a building it’s a launchpad. It’s where hard work meets opportunity, and where young athletes learn that they can rise, both on the court and beyond it.
CERTIFICATIONS: CAN, Licensed Drone Pilot, Welding, Automotive, Pharmacy Tech, Patient Care Technology”
Planning
““We have been able to accomplish success that has not traditionally been accomplished in schools with our demographics, We have changed the efficacy of our community for decades to come”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
The design team led a highly collaborative planning process, engaging diverse voices including educators, business owners, farmers, and civic leaders, including the president of the YMCA and a member of the Economic Development Corporation. Their input shaped a school that meets both educational and community goals.
Partnerships with the city resolved logistical challenges like road widening and neighborhood revitalization. Shared parking and adjacency to the middle school increase functionality, ensuring this facility will continue serving generations of learners in a cohesive campus ecosystem.
Planning a new school is never just about the building. It’s about shaping the future of the entire community. When community leaders, school staff, and architects come together at the table, every decision reaches beyond the classroom. Roads, safety, growth, access, pride – every aspect of the town is touched. A well-planned school becomes a hub for opportunity, connection, and long-term impact.
In Brownfield, where many students grow up with limited resources and big dreams, basketball has always been a source of purpose. The new state-of-the-art competition gym is more than a facility it’s a symbol of belief in these students’ futures.
For kids who come to school to play ball and stay in class to stay eligible, the gym has become a reason to show up. Attendance is up, school pride is strong, and the whole town feels the impact.
Intentionally planning for a space that promotes more than athleticism tells students: you are seen, and your goals matter.
In Brownfield, the gym is more than a building it’s a launchpad. It’s where hard work meets opportunity, and where young athletes learn that they can rise, both on the court and beyond it.”
School Transformation
“The new Brownfield High School redefines learning by integrating diverse academic and vocational pathways in a space that inspires. With flexible furnishings, an advanced media center, and cutting-edge technology, students explore STEM, fine arts, athletics, and CTE programs in an environment that reflects their aspirations and inspires that “C Us Thrive” Cubs pride.
The school is not just a replacement—it is a transformation. A place where traditional learning meets modern innovation, driving a cultural transformation in how students learn, achieve, and envision their futures.
- Facility designed to facilitate over 1 MILLION DOLLARS In Career Readiness equipment grants
- Socio Economically disadvantaged 82.4%
- High School Attendance climbing 91%-95%
- Students who met College, Career, and Military Readiness standards 95%
- Became a PTECH High School in 2023
- 2018 Historically low performer to 2025 Regional Leader
“We have been able to accomplish success that has not traditionally been accomplished in schools with our demographics. We have changed the efficacy of our community for decades to come”
Brownfield ISD Superintendent
Technology rich space reimagined as communal pull-out space for additional flexible learning environments. Movable glass walls and marker board walls allow for maximum flexibility and collaboration.
A building designed as adaptable as the students who use it — a space that flexes with technology, careers, and the ever-changing world.
We knew from day one: college isn’t the only path. So we built a place where careers are born – on the ground, in the trades. You don’t need a four-year degree to be world-class. You need tools, opportunity, and a building that believes in you. That’s what we set out to create.”
Star of Distinction Category Winner