Melissa ISD celebrated Cardinal Renaissance Academy (CRA) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 11, marking the transformation of a longtime district facility into Melissa ISD’s sixth elementary school. District leaders, Board of Trustees members, staff, families and community members gathered to celebrate the milestone and the new chapter ahead for the campus.
Located at 2950 Cardinal Drive, the building has served Melissa ISD in several capacities over the years, first opening in 2002 as part of Melissa Jr. High School. Upon its completion in 2004, the building became home to Melissa Ridge Elementary Intermediate School, serving students in fourth through sixth grade. At the time, MRE Intermediate included 10 classes and served more than 170 students.
Over the years, the building has continued to evolve alongside Melissa ISD, serving as Melissa Middle School, Melissa Ridge Intermediate School, and, most recently, the Melissa Sixth Grade Center. After more than two decades of educating students, the building has been renovated and given new life as Cardinal Renaissance Academy, once again opening its doors to a new generation of Cardinals.
The campus will feature a project-based learning model that integrates math, science, social studies and ELAR, giving students opportunities to explore concepts through hands-on experiences, collaboration and real-world connections. The CRA learning experience will also include traditional specials such as PE, Art and Music, along with Coding and Spanish. An accelerated math pathway will be available at CRA, and the campus will also be home to MISD’s Gifted and Talented services and the Emergent Bilingual program.
Deputy Superintendent Walter Perez shared, “Opening Elementary No. 6 is an exciting milestone for Melissa Schools and our growing community. It reflects our commitment to providing every Cardinal with exceptional, innovative learning experiences within an IB environment—where curiosity, global-mindedness, and a passion for learning can flourish.”
The ribbon cutting provided an opportunity to recognize the many people whose work brought the vision for Cardinal Renaissance Academy to life. In particular, Melissa ISD extends its appreciation to the district’s Maintenance and Operations team and the incredible team of contractors who helped bring the vision to life. Also, the CRA teachers and staff spent countless hours preparing classrooms, creating welcoming learning environments and getting the campus ready.
“Opening CRA is an incredible opportunity to build something special for our students, families, and staff,” Principal Angie Slicker shared. “As principal, I am excited to create an innovative IB learning environment where every Cardinal is known, challenged, supported, and inspired to make a difference in our world.”
Investing in the Future of Melissa Schools
Cardinal Renaissance Academy represents Melissa ISD’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students while thoughtfully investing in the facilities and resources already within the district. CRA is part of the district’s strategic vision for preparing Melissa schools for the future while creating environments where students can learn, grow and thrive. Learn more about Melissa ISD’s strategic growth plan at www.melissaisd.org/move.
