On the second day of classes for the 2024-2025 academic year, the Midland Independent School District (MISD) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a greenhouse facility at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA). A donation from community partner ExxonMobil made the outdoor learning space possible.
YWLA expressed its appreciation in a Facebook post following the ceremony, stating it loves the greenhouse and is grateful to ExxonMobil, which has offices in Midland.
According to the post, the remodeled space includes water conservation and irrigation systems, an outdoor classroom and xeriscape lab, and community engagement features.
Extreme Exteriors collaborated with the MISD Facilities & Operations Department on the project.
YWLA principal Laura Doughty told Permian Basin NBC affiliate KWES News that the learning space aims to give students the opportunity to go outside of the traditional four-wall classroom and enter a space to read, learn, and experience new things.
KWES reported that the project is popular with students. One student said it’s something that doesn’t easily happen in Midland.
The project took half a decade to complete.
Doughty said that plants grown by the school will soon be available to the public, according to KWES.