Community comes together for Geneva Heights Elementary School renovation

Geneva Heights Elementary School in Lower Greenville wasn’t just a structure in need of an upgrade. It was a legacy ready to be reimagined.

Originally named Robert E. Lee Elementary, Geneva Heights has stood as a beacon of education and community pride since opening its doors in September 1931. Designed by Roscoe DeWitt, the school’s striking art deco façade was considered cutting-edge for its time, symbolizing a bold future, and nearly a century later, it still does.

Nestled in a walkable, tree-lined neighborhood, the school has shaped generations. But, in recent years, declining enrollment raised serious concern about its future. The district’s sweeping $3.5 billion bond program initially slated the building for full replacement, a decision that would soon be challenged by the very community it served.

Few people embody the school’s legacy quite like MC Carbajal. A lifelong resident of the neighborhood, Carbajal first walked the campus’ halls as a young student alongside her sister. Years later, she returned as a parent, sending all four of her children through the same doors, and now as a grandmother, she has watched three generations of her own family thrive on the same storied campus. Today, she serves as Geneva Heights’ data controller, a role that keeps her deeply involved in the day-to-day heartbeat of the school.

Surrounded by several of Dallas’ 15 designated conservation districts, Geneva Heights sits in a neighborhood rich with historical charm. Yet despite its longstanding presence, the school itself was never officially recognized as a landmark. When Dallas Independent School District proposed replacing the building as part of the 2020 bond initiative with equity-focused planning in mind, the response was swift and passionate. Vocal community members, alongside Preservation Dallas, rallied to protect the school’s legacy, and their advocacy became the cornerstone of the project’s success.

Over the years, families had built cherished traditions on the campus’ grounds: lively carnivals, the beloved annual Cinco de Mayo celebration and spaghetti dinners served before school meetings so parents could participate without the stress of rushing home to feed their families. These moments fostered connection, belonging and a shared sense of pride that made Geneva Heights more than just a place to learn.

Shaped by robust community engagement, much of it conducted virtually during the height of the pandemic, the final design strikes a thoughtful balance between modernization and preservation. Through online forums and remote charrettes, neighbors and parents championed not only state-of-the-art learning environments but also, the protection of the school’s historic character. Dallas ISD and BRW Architects listened and aimed to capture the community’s aspirations and translate them into a design that honors the past while embracing the future.

BRW Architects Principal and K-12 Education Leader Anne Hildenbrand recalls the clarity and conviction that emerged from the community input sessions.

“We had to think big,” she says. “The message was clear. The community wanted a school that could grow with its students, preserve its close-knit feel, remain a neighborhood gem and reflect the vibrant diversity of the families it serves.”

Today, a new classroom wing supports up to 750 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, offering flexible classrooms designed for collaboration and inquiry-based learning. Specialized spaces for arts, STEM and wellness reflect a commitment to whole-child development. Outside, the central courtyard blooms with gardens and outdoor learning spaces.

Shaped in partnership with the Texas Trees Foundation Cool Schools initiative, 90 new trees and native plantings introduced throughout the campus’s landscape create a biophilic environment that nurtures both mind and body.

“The kids love the playgrounds, but my favorite place is the learning garden,” Carbajal says. “I often arrive very early in the mornings just to watch the bunnies.”

She beams with excitement as she says of her office, “I have the best view in the school.”

With a focus on restoring the original beauty and honoring the cast-in-place concrete entrance as a cultural and social landmark, the design team thoughtfully ensured the new addition would complement the historic art deco zigzag moderne architecture. Through its earth-toned material palette and varied scale, the design seamlessly incorporates a hardened storm shelter, providing a safe space for the entire school during severe weather events.

Site constraints, including limited space, heavy traffic and adjacency to residences, required thoughtful planning. The design team maximized every square inch of the building footprint and prioritized pedestrian safety. Vehicular circulation was also improved through traffic studies, street parking solutions and multiple student drop-off points. The building was strategically oriented east-to-west for optimal solar orientation, providing lots of natural daylight, energy efficiency and minimal impact on neighboring residences.

“From the beginning, delivering real value was paramount,” Hildenbrand says. “Our design embeds environmentally responsible strategies that reduce negative environmental impact and promote long-term campus performance with utility cost savings.”

Since its completion, Geneva Heights has garnered widespread recognition for its thoughtful design and commitment to preservation. The school has received both state and national honors, including the prestigious Preservation Dallas Achievement Award, celebrating its architectural excellence and its role as a benchmark for integrating historic character with forward-thinking innovation.

Through a voice thick with emotion, Carbajal reflects on the powerful impact the renovation and addition had on her when she first saw it.

“My students and my grandchild now touch the same staircase railings and walls I did as a student here,” she says with pride.

She describes the moment she spotted the refurbished vintage chandelier still hanging as it did so many years ago just outside of her favorite teacher’s office, a surprising detail that made time feel suspended.

“It was like coming home again,” she says of walking into the new building for the first time.

During the long-awaited dedication ceremony on Dec. 14, 2024, Dallas ISD Chief Construction Officer Brent Alfred said, “Students, enjoy your new playgrounds, gardens, classroom and collaborative learning spaces. As you walk the hallways and enjoy the outdoor play spaces, remember it’s all been customized just for you. There is no school anywhere like Geneva Heights. And parents and community supporters, thanks for coming back to us. We hope the wait was worth your while.”

Geneva Heights Elementary’s living story was written by architects, educators, families and students who believe in the power of place. The transformation is a testament to what’s possible when community voices, thoughtful design and shared vision come together.

“My one wish is that the community takes this school and runs with it, holding tight to its legacy,” Carbajal says. “It may be a state-of-the-art building now, but it’s the families that make it truly special. This is home.”

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with corrected information. A reader reached out to let us know that the Robert E. Lee school (now Geneva Heights Elementary) was originally designed by Roscoe DeWitt, not Mark Lemmon, as previously stated. They had been partners and designed other schools together but split up by the time Robert E. Lee was designed. Our reader also told us that an addition to the school was designed by Lemmon and his staff, but that was demolished before the more recent construction.