Melissa ISD officially opened two new campuses on Friday, August 15, with ribbon-cutting ceremonies for Highland Elementary and East Cardinal Middle School. Families, staff, and community members joined district administrators and board members to celebrate the milestone as the district prepares to welcome students for the 2025-26 school year.
Melissa ISD extends its gratitude to WRA Architects for their vision and design and to Crossland Construction for bringing both projects to life. Special thanks are also extended to the campus teachers for their efforts in decorating and preparing classrooms, as well as to the district’s maintenance, operations, and technology teams—and to every staff member who played a role in readying the campuses. Their collective hard work made it possible to open the doors to two schools that will serve Melissa students for generations to come.
Highland Elementary Ribbon Cutting
The story of Highland Elementary begins long before its walls were built. In the mid-1800s, a thriving pioneer community known as Highland stood just north of what is now Melissa. The settlement had its own post office, church, grist mill, and school—a self-sustaining hub where families lived, worked, and educated their children. In 1858, Dr. Charles H. Wysong donated land for a church and cemetery, helping to root the community in values of resilience, faith, and education.
Though the original Highland faded as the city of Melissa grew, the name endures as a reminder of the pioneering spirit that shaped the region. That legacy now carries forward in the district’s newest elementary school.
Highland Elementary spans more than 86,000 square feet on 12 acres, offering flexible, modern learning spaces that encourage collaboration and growth. District leaders emphasized that the opening is not just about a new building, but about creating an environment where students will learn and thrive while carrying forward the same spirit of resilience and hope that defined the Highland community generations ago.
The site where the new school now stands was once part of the Hixon family’s property. Don and Sue Hixon, both members of the Melissa Wall of Honor, were recognized during the ceremony for their lasting impact on the community. Sue served Melissa ISD for many years as the districtwide school nurse, while Don played a key role in planning for the district’s growth and advocating for the schools that shaped today’s Melissa.
East Cardinal Middle School Ribbon Cutting
East Cardinal Middle School represents both growth and vision for Melissa ISD. At more than 220,000 square feet, the campus will serve 1,200 students, with room to expand. Facilities include modern classrooms, fine arts and career/technical education spaces, a media center, a cafetorium, and flexible learning spaces.
The school’s name connects to the four cardinal points of a compass—north, east, south, and west. Just as each day begins with the sunrise in the east, East Cardinal serves as the district’s first compass point, a symbolic starting place for the vision ahead. At full buildout, district leaders anticipate middle schools at three of the compass points, with Melissa High School serving as the fourth.
The opening also introduces a new campus identity: where students and staff once said, “MMS Inspires,” they now proudly say, “ECMS Inspires,” underscoring the school’s mission to inspire curiosity, growth, and leadership.
Melissa Schools Strategic Growth
Highland Elementary and East Cardinal Middle School are part of the district’s “Melissa Move” strategic plan, which focuses on building sustainable, future-ready campuses that reflect Melissa ISD’s core values. Together, the new schools stand as a major step in preparing for rapid growth while ensuring students learn in environments built for success today and in the years to come. Learn more at www.melissaisd.org/growth.