Add as a preferred source on Google

Texas School District Opens New Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/03/24

The Boerne Independent School District (Boerne ISD) near San Antonio, Texas, recently opened a new elementary school that serves almost 500 students, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects to build the 97,151-square-foot Viola Wilson Elementary School, which opened in August. The PreK–5 school was named after local educator Viola Wilson, who taught in Boerne for more than 40 years.

Amenities include the district’s first open-concept library at the elementary level, which features a makerspace and art lab; an outdoor amphitheater, flexible classrooms and shared learning spaces; and a “house” organization that promotes safety, compartmentalization, and quick emergency responses, the news release reports.

“Our goal was to create a school that serves Boerne’s growing community while reflecting Mrs. Wilson's legacy as a beloved and dedicated educator,” said the managing principal of Pfluger's San Antonio office, Robyn Popa. “This design brings students closer to nature and inspires exploration in spaces where curiosity can thrive.”

The school’s exterior features large windows to bring in natural light and provide views of the surrounding nature. The interior design features a green, gold, and orange palette to mimic changing seasons. The building uses a hybrid foundation of part suspended slab, part slab-on-grade to minimize site disturbance.

“This school represents more than just a building; it represents the future and all that Viola Wilson brought to the teaching profession, educating three generations of Boerne children throughout her career,” said Lizeth Thompson, Viola Wilson Elementary principal. “Our community came together to create a learning environment that inspires creativity and stimulates curiosity in our students.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

  • Tennessee State University Gains Approval for New Engineering Facility

    Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., recently announced that it has received approval from the Tennessee State Building Commission to build a new engineering building on campus, according to a university news release. The 70,000-square-foot, $50-million facility will play home to the university’s engineering programs and the Applied & Industrial Technology program.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

Digital Edition