First early childhood center named after Dr. David Hicks

Northwest ISD trustees have unanimously approved naming the school district’s first early childhood center after former superintendent Dr. David Hicks, honoring his lifelong commitment to learning and education.

Located in Fort Worth, the Dr. Hicks Early Childhood Center will open in August 2026 and exclusively serve pre-kindergarten students. As the first early childhood center in the district, it will supplement existing pre-kindergarten classes available at all Northwest ISD elementary schools. One of four such facilities approved by voters in the 2023 bond election, these schools are designed with a focus on experiential and play-based learning to cater to a young child’s developmental process.

Dr. Hicks served as Northwest ISD superintendent in 2022, though he unexpectedly passed away early in his tenure. Despite this brief time in the district, Dr. Hicks made an immediate impact on families and staff across Northwest ISD. He met with dozens of families to gather input as part of a feedback-gathering initiative, and he prioritized interactions and conversations with teachers and staff that strengthened district culture.

Throughout his career in education, Dr. Hicks earned a reputation for his commitment to children across all grade levels. He served as a principal or assistant principal across all campus levels – elementary, middle and high – and advocated for early childhood literacy and pre-K for a solid educational foundation. He quickly became known for his “thank you” cards to others, modeling a trait of kindness that Northwest ISD hopes to instill in its youngest learners.

The Dr. Hicks Early Childhood Center will be located off F.M. 156, south of Hillshire Drive and north of East Bonds Ranch Road. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in the coming weeks.