CityLab HS Foundation

Thank you to our CityLab High School Foundation Board and Advisory Council members who joined us for last week’s Back to School gathering at CityLab.

It was a great evening of connection and conversation about what is ahead for CityLab, including updates on the school’s future home at Nolan Estes Plaza and the vision for the next chapter.

As we begin a new school year, we’re grateful for the community of supporters helping advance CityLab’s mission.

CityLab’s work is made stronger by partners across the built industry who help students connect learning to the real world. If you or your firm would like to learn more about getting involved, please contact Marilyn Rutner at [email protected].

A new year. A bold future. The city is our classroom.

A major milestone for CityLab High School!

We were proud to celebrate the topping off of CityLab’s future home at Nolan Estes Plaza. This is an exciting step toward the school’s next chapter.

CityLab, a Dallas ISD Choice high school, introduces students to architecture, urban planning, and environmental sustainability through real-world, project-based learning. For a school centered on the built environment, this milestone carries special meaning.

This moment reflects the growth of a vision that has been strengthened over the years by educators, families, and partners across the built community.

We’re grateful for the firms and professionals who have supported CityLab through internships, mentorship, guest speaking, critiques, field trips, project-based learning opportunities, volunteering and philanthropy. If you or your firm would like to learn more about how to be part of CityLab’s next chapter, please contact [email protected]

Great event yesterday at Halperin Park - Live, Learn, Thrive, Expo.

Family-friendly community expo designed to connect residents with opportunities to learn, grow, create, and thrive. The Expo brought together educators, health and wellness providers, artists, makers, entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, community organizations AND CITYLAB students and families for a day of hands-on learning, wellness experiences, community resources, and family fun.
Dallas ISDCityLab High School

CityLab students are kicking off an exciting new design project, Envisioning our Future World, exploring what the future could look like, and how they can help shape it!

Over the next month, Janeil Engelstad of MAP and Mark Randall of Parsons School of Design will guide students through a creative process inspired by the Three Horizons framework. Last week, Carmelle Vietti, the Education Manager at Halperin Park, hosted our students joined by HKS Structural Engineer, Ryan Ganey, who helped design the structures in the deck park.

The students’ work will come to life through student-designed banners displayed at Dallas’ new Halperin Park throughout November 2026, as well as animated videos projected during the Aurora Festival on November 21. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/gqfePmuX

CityLab High SchoolDallas ISD

We are thrilled to celebrate CityLab HS for earning an “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the third consecutive year! Only 25% of public schools across Texas earned an “A” rating, placing CityLab among the top tier of schools statewide.

CityLab also earned Distinction Designations for exceptional achievement in:

📚 Academic Achievement in Reading/Language Arts
🔬 Academic Achievement in Science
📈 Top 25%: Comparative Closing the Gaps
🎓 Postsecondary Readiness

This incredible achievement is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of Principal Varney, CityLab’s faculty and staff, students, families, and the entire CityLab community. We are proud to support a school that is preparing students to lead, create, and make a difference in our community and beyond.

Congratulations, CityLab! We’re so proud of you! 💙 CityLab High School Dallas ISD

CityLab High School Foundation proudly congratulates Diane Ragsdale on the well-deserved honor of having CityLab High School bear her name in recognition of her vision, leadership, and lasting impact on the City of Dallas.

As we celebrate this meaningful recognition, we simultaneously celebrate our approaching decade of CityLab High School's impact and the many individuals whose vision, leadership, and dedication have brought this academically innovative choice public school into existence. Visionary founders, CLHS Foundation Board leaders, CityLab and Dallas ISD leadership, faculty, community partners, donors, and volunteers have transformed an innovative idea into a model for project-based learning that is preparing the next generation of changemakers in the architectural, environmental and civic realms of our city and beyond. The new downtown Nolan Estes Campus that will hold both CityLab and IDEA High Schools as well as Downtown Montessori Academy will open during the ten year anniversary of CityLab. What a great time of growth and new recognitions this school year will be.

Congratulations, Diane, and thank you to everyone who has helped shape CityLab into what it is today. We look forward to an exciting future together! Dallas ISD CityLab High School
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaWG8zBErQo/?igsh=MXd2dmtrcWhqanFiYw==

Longtime South Dallas civic leader Diane Ragsdale will have a school named after her. Just blocks away from Dallas City Hall, the new Diane Ragsdale CityLab High School is under construction. Dallas Free Press joined Ragsdale on a stroll to visit the site. Looking at the construction crew building the school directly in front of the Dallas skyline, Ragsdale remembers her journey as an activist. At 11 years old, her mother encouraged her and her sister to join the NAACP Youth Council led by Juanita J. Craft. She then served as the Dallas City Council member for District 7 from 1984 to 1991. To this day, Ragsdale still lives in Wheatley Place, the neighborhood where she grew up, and continues to advocate for her community through zoning reforms and historic preservation. "It's more of an honor to have the school with a goal consistent with my life," she says. The Diane Ragsdale CityLab High School will specialize in teaching students about architecture, urban planning and civic affairs. 🎥: @camilodiazjr

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the 2026 CityLab Sustainability Summit.

Together, we explored how sustainability, sports and design shape the future of Dallas.

Special thanks to our sponsors for investing in the next generation.

⭐ Learn more about CityLab: citylabhsfoundation.org
⭐ Donte or get involved: citylabhsfoundation.org/donate

We’ve been live at the CityLab Sustainability Summit!

Students are presenting research, industry leaders are engaging with future changemakers and Dallas is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability. Here's some pictures from the last two days!

Thank you to our sponsors and partners who make this possible.
⭐ Learn more: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummit
⭐ Get involved: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummitSponsor

The CityLab Sustainability Summit begins tomorrow.

We look forward to welcoming industry leaders, students and community members for two days of innovation and collaboration.

📅 Wednesday, April 29 at the Latino Cultural Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
📅 Thursday, April 30 at the CityLab High School from 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

⭐ Register for the Summit: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummitRegister
⭐ Sponsor the Summit: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummitSponsor
⭐ Learn more about the Summit: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummit

The 2026 CityLab Sustainability Summit begins next week.

Join leaders in sports, sustainability, architecture and education as Dallas prepares for the 2026 World Cup.

Seats and sponsorship opportunities remain available.
📅 Wednesday, April 29 at the Latino Cultural Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
📅 Thursday, April 30 at the CityLab High School from 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

⚽ Register for the Summit: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummitRegister
⚽ Sponsor the Summit: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummitSponsor
⚽ Learn more about the Summit: bit.ly/2026CityLabSummit