Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has received Texas’ highest architectural honor for two recently transformed campuses.
Career Institute North and Geneva Heights Elementary School have both been selected for the prestigious 2025-2026 Caudill Class. This recognition showcases the potential to reimagine aging school buildings rather than demolishing them. Both projects successfully combine historic preservation with contemporary educational requirements.
Career Institute North rose from disaster. An EF3 tornado devastated the original Walnut Hill Elementary in 2019. Instead of razing the site, Dallas ISD created a cutting-edge career center. The facility opened in 2023 and serves students from five North Dallas high schools.
The campus offers over 16 career pathways with hands-on training. Students graduate with industry certifications for immediate workforce entry.
Geneva Heights Elementary tells a different story of transformation. The 1931 Art Deco building underwent a thoughtful renovation that honored its historic red-brick façade.
Community input shaped the redesign process. A contemporary wing now allows the campus to accommodate 750 students from pre-K through fifth grade. Natural light fills collaboration spaces throughout the updated facility. Outdoor gardens and flexible learning zones surround a central courtyard.
The Caudill Class represents the highest honor in the Exhibit of School Architecture program. Selected projects were showcased at the 2026 Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter Conference in San Antonio.
Both campuses demonstrate how school districts can preserve community landmarks while meeting modern educational demands.