Students in Arlington ISD began the 2025-2026 school year Wednesday. Arlington ISD has about 55,000 students and is the state's 13th largest district.
"Number one thing we want our parents to know is we want a safe and productive learning environment for our kids," says Superintendent Matt Smith. "As parents can see when they're dropping their kids off, we have a very thoughtful security plan to ensure our buildings are safe and secure for that learning environment."
Arlington Police were directing traffic outside Joey Rodriguez Junior High School, which is opening for the first time this fall. The school is the last of four included in the 2019 bond and replaces Carter Junior High. Arlington ISD says the campus has 48 classrooms for 1,500 students.
Smith says the new school has the technology and equipment that can help kids succeed.
"It makes students, families, communities proud to walk into a school like this," Smith says. "Ultimately, it's really going to be about what we're doing in the classroom with these kids, so we're excited."
"We are in this brand new, state of the art facility, and kids are energized about being here," says Principal Elena Lopez.
Lopez says the school is built with more common areas so students can build friendships and learn how to work together to solve problems. She says the open space can promote conversations over sending a text.
"Our teachers have been working fast and furiously to prepare for the first day, working on the weekend, working overtime," she says. "The district has been preparing the building, and so we hope all of that students having the best day ever."
Joey Rodriguez was a soccer coach at Arlington's Sam Houston High School for 12 years. He died from COVID-19 in 2021.
"For some kids, this might be the nicest place they've ever been, and I love they get to come here every day," says Rodriguez' wife, Lena. "It's for them. It's not for the Rodriguez family, it's for the community."
She hopes a new facility can inspire kids in the surrounding neighborhood.
"I hope when they come in every day, it helps them want to achieve so much more because they see how much they're valued," Rodriguez says.
"It's a beautiful school with a great namesake," says Smith, the superintendent. "Joey Rodriguez made a definite impact on our community. We're excited to open the doors and serve our kids."