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A sneak peek inside Waco’s new Kendrick Elementary School

by Justin Hamel Aug. 12, 2025, 6:20 p.m. CentralJune 18, 2026, 5:59 p.m. Central

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A sneak peek inside Waco’s new Kendrick Elementary School

by Justin Hamel, The Waco Bridge
August 12, 2025

<h1>A sneak peek inside Waco’s new Kendrick Elementary School</h1>
<p class="byline">by Justin Hamel, The Waco Bridge <br />August 12, 2025</p>

<p class="has-normal-font-size">The Waco Bridge this week got a sneak peek inside the new $47.4 million Kendrick Elementary School, which opens Wednesday. Walking through the front doors, students are greeted by a decorative tree that curves up and over seating and a book nook. It alludes to a fairytale design that runs through both Kendrick and the new South Waco Elementary School. Students are guided through the school by color-coordinated hallways by grade, called neighborhoods. Highlights include an art room with a pottery kiln, a maker space, and a music room that leads backstage.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-21-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2408" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A kindergarten classroom in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-25-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2411" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A first grade classroom welcomes new students in Spanish and English in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-30-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2409" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sign welcomes students to the fifth grade at the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-38-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2410" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The art room in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-37-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2412" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Art supplies for students in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-31-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2415" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocking chairs from the old Kendrick Elementary School in the upstairs hallway of the new school on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-43-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2414" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The cafeteria in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-41-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2413" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The gym in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wacobridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/250811-JH-KENDRICK-ELEMENTARY-13-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2416" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13.</figcaption></figure>
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A sneak peek inside Waco’s new Kendrick Elementary School

Justin Hamel, The Waco Bridge
August 12, 2025

The Waco Bridge this week got a sneak peek inside the new $47.4 million Kendrick Elementary School, which opens Wednesday. Walking through the front doors, students are greeted by a decorative tree that curves up and over seating and a book nook. It alludes to a fairytale design that runs through both Kendrick and the new South Waco Elementary School. Students are guided through the school by color-coordinated hallways by grade, called neighborhoods. Highlights include an art room with a pottery kiln, a maker space, and a music room that leads backstage.

This article first appeared on The Waco Bridge.

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The gym in the new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13. Justin Hamel / The Waco Bridge / CatchLight Local / Report for America

The new Kendrick Elementary School on August 11, 2025, in Waco, Texas. The 2025-2026 school year begins on Wednesday, August 13. Justin Hamel / The Waco Bridge / CatchLight Local / Report for America

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Tagged: Development, Education, Growth, Kendrick Elementary, school construction, Schools, south waco, Waco ISD

Justin Hamel

Justin Hamel is a visual journalist for the Bridge through a partnership with Catchlight and Report for America. He’s excited to help shape the Bridge’s visual journalism by ensuring every story includes... More by Justin Hamel