The Liberty Hill Independent School District (LHISD) is expanding once again to meet the needs of its rapidly growing community. Earlier this month, the district officially broke ground on Saddleback Elementary School, marking a significant milestone as LHISD’s ninth elementary campus.
Set to open its doors in the fall of 2027, Saddleback Elementary will serve families in the vibrant Santa Rita Ranch neighborhood and surrounding areas, providing a modern, spacious learning environment for early-learning through fifth-grade students.
A Thoughtfully Designed Campus for a Growing Community
Located on a 13.5-acre site near County Road 258 and the future Saddleback Parkway, the new 113,383-square-foot facility is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 students. This capacity is 200 students more than older LHISD elementary campuses, reflecting the district’s proactive approach to managing enrollment growth.
The two-story campus was designed by PBK Architects and modeled similarly to the recently opened Tierra Rosa Elementary. The campus will include the following features and facilities:
- Classroom Layout – Pre-K through 1st grade classrooms on the first floor; 2nd through 5th grade classrooms on the second floor.
- Gymnasium – A full-sized gym to support physical education and school events.
- Media Center / Library – A dedicated space for research, reading, and digital learning.
- Cafeteria – A modern dining facility to serve the school’s full student body.
- Administrative Spaces – Offices and support areas for faculty and staff.
- Interior and Exterior Courtyards – Open-air and enclosed courtyards designed for collaborative and outdoor learning.
- Outdoor Learning Areas – Dedicated spaces to extend classroom instruction into the outdoors.
- Carpool Lane – A high-capacity carpool loop accommodating up to 260 vehicles at a time.
- Dedicated Bus Loop – A separate, safe bus drop-off and pick-up zone for student transportation.
- Special Education Access – A separate drop-off and pick-up location specifically for special education students.
Managing Growth and Attendance Boundaries
Liberty Hill ISD is experiencing unprecedented growth. Enrollment projections indicate that the district could nearly double its student population to over 19,000 by the 2034–35 school year.
To stay ahead of this curve, LHISD is not only building new schools but also expanding existing ones. The LHISD Board of Trustees recently approved expansions for Bill Burden, Santa Rita, and Rancho Sienna Elementary schools, increasing their capacities to 1,000 students each by August 2027. This strategic move utilizes 2021 bond proceeds and saves the district significant maintenance and operations costs compared to building entirely new campuses.
The board has also approved the 2026–27 attendance boundaries. For the 2026–27 school year, before the new campus is completed, Saddleback Elementary students will temporarily attend classes at Louine Nobles Elementary School. Louine Nobles is then proposed to transition into a district Pre-K center in the future.
Saddleback Elementary will primarily serve students from the following neighborhoods and areas:
•The Saddleback subdivision
•Hwy 183 east, including Rancho Santa Fe
•Neighborhoods along CR 258 and 3405
Looking Ahead
Construction on Saddleback Elementary is officially underway, with an expected completion date of June 2027.
As Liberty Hill continues to attract new families, LHISD remains committed to providing high-quality education and modern facilities. “The growth we are experiencing in Liberty Hill is exciting, but it also requires thoughtful planning. We are grateful to our attendance boundary committee and to the families who participated in town halls and shared feedback. Their input helped us refine the final plan to better serve students, balance enrollment, and position our district for continued success.” – Interim Superintendent Travis Motal
With Saddleback Elementary and the upcoming Lariat Trails Elementary (opening in 2026), Liberty Hill ISD is laying a strong foundation for the future of its youngest learners, and for a community that shows no signs of slowing down.
Liberty Hill is growing, and so is the opportunity to be part of something special.
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