Students walk through the new addition of Rudder High School

Students at James Earl Rudder High School returned to campus for the spring 2023 semester with a brand new wing of the school.

The new two-story section of the school was part of Bryan ISD's $175 million bond package that voters approved. The new construction adds 14 classrooms to the school, along with an additional stairwell and more bathrooms, water fountains and a few additional offices.

"We just are so appreciative to the community for voting for the 2020 bond; for the school board and for the architects, for the construction managers, for everyone and their diligence to put this beautiful 14-classroom facility together," Executive Director of School Leadership Brian Merrell told KAGS' Sara Wilson.

Teachers and students got their first look at the new space when they returned in January for the spring semester.


Principal Rachel Layton, who was an associate principal at Rudder when the process began, said the new addition eliminates seven of the school’s 10 portable buildings, bringing those teachers into the main building. The remaining three portable buildings are used for the school's cosmetology and barbering programs.

“I’m really excited for them to be in the building and a part of our culture,” she said as staff returned to their campuses after the winter break. “And then for the kids, I just want them to see the new. It’s almost like a Christmas present. They’re going to walk in, and it’s beautiful, and it’s shiny and looks different. I’m just excited for them to see the new space and the classrooms.”

Kyle Brown, an English 3 teacher and JV basketball coach at Rudder, said he is more excited for his students than for himself.

While they made it work being in the portables, he said, being in the main building gives the students a better learning environment and school atmosphere that he hopes translates to an excitement for learning.

“I think the kids getting into this new building is going to show them that the district appreciates them and us teachers appreciate them, and they’re going to do really well here,” Torey Dumont, an English teacher and softball coach at Rudder, said.

Layton told KBTX’s Donnie Tuggle there were squeals of excitement when students walked in and first saw the new wing, and many immediately noticed the use of Rudder colors of green and white throughout the new space. A green geometric pattern accent wall was even the backdrop of some students’ selfies.

Layton said she is excited for how it represents Rudder and students also told her they were excited that it looked like Rudder High School with the use of green and white and the military nods to the school's namesake, Maj. Gen. James Earl Rudder.


It has been exciting, she said, to see the process go from bond planning meetings to design and construction meetings to the opening of a new part of the school.

“We just thank the community for passing the bond and the school board and all the leadership in Bryan ISD for supporting us and allowing us to make this truly represent Rudder,” she said.

Marcus “MJ” Heard, Jr., a 2022 graduate from Rudder, visited his alma mater before returning to Davidson College in North Carolina, and said he is happy for the current students, but also a little jealous he didn’t get to experience it as a student.

As a senior, Heard was one of the students chosen to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony in January 2022 before construction began later in the spring 2022 semester. The new construction had been shielded by a construction wall until Jan. 3.

“I’m glad that I kind of laid the foundation for what was to come for Rudder in the future and from now on,” he told KRHD’s Chris Talley.