Two years after demolishing the aging George Peabody Elementary School building in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, its modern, 70,807 square-foot replacement campus welcomed excited students to their new classrooms. Designed by Pfluger Architects, in collaboration with Dallas Independent School District (DISD) and REEDER Construction, the new, two-story urban school supports a modern learning experience for 550 students without losing the identity of a deeply rooted community campus.
Built on its current site at 3101 Raydell Place in 1951, George Peabody Elementary School served generations of students and was a constant presence in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. But the aging building’s infrastructure had reached its limits, and the tight urban site offered little room to grow. A $3.5 billion bond approved by voters in 2020 – the largest in Texas history at the time – funded the replacement of 16 DISD campuses, including Peabody Elementary, in addition to repairs and upgrades to more than 200 of the district’s 230 schools.
Students, teachers and staff were temporarily relocated to the former Thomas Edison Middle School campus during construction of the replacement school. Working with the school district, Pfluger designed a school that feels connected – to its community, its site, with nature, and the way students and teachers move through the day. Glass walls bring in daylight and provide views to nature, while shared collaboration zones support flexible teaching and new ways to learn. A compact, two-story layout allows the building to fit within a small footprint while preserving outdoor space, and an intentionally subdued scale blends with the surrounding single-story homes in a dense historic neighborhood.
“From the earliest sketches and listening to parents and the community, our design focused on extended learning beyond the classroom while creating a nurturing and inspiring learning environment,” said Isabel Corsino, Managing Principal of Pfluger’s Dallas office. “This
replacement school is a place where learning feels connected to nature and the neighborhood it serves. Glass walls flood the classrooms with light, creating spaces where students can explore, collaborate, and grow.”
Academic classroom wings frame secure outdoor spaces like a courtyard and connect to a central core with spaces designed for creativity: the media center, art and music rooms, and maker space, all wrapped by classrooms to keep the energy and inspiration close. Building materials, scale, and architectural detailing reflect the unique texture of the surrounding area. Durable finishes and exposed infrastructure reduce maintenance and support long-term building performance, while vibrant interiors express the creative energy of the community. Approaching the building, a welcoming “porch and front yard” provides a gathering space for the community, making Peabody a centerpiece of the neighborhood.
“This school is a warm and inviting new hub of the community,” said Sherri Rogers-Hall, principal of George Peabody Elementary. “In the words of the school’s namesake, George Peabody, ‘Education is a debt due from present to future generations.’ Our school is a promise to many future students and the community where every child feels safe, welcomed, and empowered.”
