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North Texas School District Completes Third New Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/02/25

The Denton Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, recently finished construction on its third prototype design elementary school, Reeves Elementary, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects on the 113,500-square-foot facility, which will have the capacity for 750 students. The school opened in August 2025, following the recent completions of Hill Elementary and Martinez Elementary. All three schools come from a 2023 Denton ISD capital improvement plan approved by voters.

Against the backdrop of rapid population expansion, the district recognized that 4,000 new students were expected to enroll over the next five years, the news release reports. It spurred the need to create three new elementary schools, including one within a year of the bond’s passage. The situation led to creating a prototype design focusing on connection instead of hallways and classrooms, which allowed the district to expand its educational space by 28%.

The building’s central hub merges the school library, dining and outdoor learning spaces into an open, visible core, according to the news release. The building stands two stories and features classrooms and special-programs areas extending from the central space. The layout encourages collaboration, movement, and choice among students and faculty alike.

“The district was ready to rethink how students learn and teachers teach, with the whole school an active, fully connected neighborhood,” said Christian Owens, Pfluger Architects’ Principal Design Director. “The design centers on a shared hub that merges the library, dining commons, and courtyard into one open, active space. Classrooms and programs radiate out from this heart of the school, creating clear sightlines, encouraging movement, and supporting different styles of learning.”

In addition to prioritizing visibility, flexibility, and safety, the layout reduces exterior walls and limits access points while maximizing learning space. The first two schools (Martinez and Hill) were built with prefabricated wall panels that were built offsite and installed into the foundation. The schools were also designed for long-term performance with regards to energy use, air quality, and supporting student wellness, the news release reports.

“As we designed these buildings, we thought about learning on display and how we ensure everywhere we go in every part of the building, there's an opportunity to see learning, to participate in learning, and to collaborate,” said Denton ISD Superintendent Dr. Susannah Holbert O’Bara. “Students and teachers benefit from flexible spaces that encourage autonomy, teamwork, and interaction across programs. It's a transparent, scalable model designed to grow with its community.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

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