Denton ISD Continues Historic Growth, Opens 26th Elementary School, Two Replacement Campuses
As the 2024-2025 school year begins, Denton ISD has posted its highest student enrollment numbers ever. Denton ISD continues to rank as one of the fastest growing school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex based on new home closings.
In addition to the tremendous growth the district is experiencing, several improvements from the 2018 and 2023 bond referendums are also concluding. Dorothy Martinez Elementary School opened on Wednesday as the 26th elementary school in the district. The school will serve students in the Braswell High School attendance zone.
“We are fortunate to have families joining our community at an incredible rate, and I believe it is because of the exceptional education their children are receiving, as well as our loving, supportive staff,” said Dr. Susannah Holbert O’Bara, Superintendent of Schools. “Martinez Elementary is the latest example of a tremendous school that will provide even more opportunities for some of our youngest learners.”
Martinez Elementary is located at 2855 Eppright Drive in the town of Little Elm. Martinez Elementary’s mascot is the Monarchs, and its colors are red and gold.
Martinez Elementary will begin the 2024-2025 school year with more than 550 students and nearly 60 staff members.
“We are thrilled to open our doors at Martinez Elementary for the very first time this school year and welcome every student and family to our vibrant and growing community,” said Karsten Hatcher, Martinez Elementary principal. “Our inaugural year is not just a milestone for our school and district, but a shared adventure for all of us. We are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive atmosphere where creativity and learning flourish.”
Ms. Martinez, the school’s namesake, joined Denton ISD in 1980 as a second-grade teacher at the Davis School. Over the next 13 years, she taught second and third grade at the Davis School, Borman and Wilson (now Shultz) Elementary Schools while also serving as the English as a Second Language (ESL) supervisor for Denton ISD.
In 1994, Ms. Martinez became the ESL teacher at Calhoun Middle School – a position she held until 1997. Ms. Martinez returned to Denton ISD in 2014 as a member of the Board of School Trustees, where she served for six years until 2020 when she did not seek reelection.
Martinez Elementary is one of the first completed projects from Denton ISD’s 2023 capital improvement plan that was overwhelmingly approved by district voters. The campus was designed by Pfluger Architects and built by Balfour Beatty.
The 113,503-square foot campus boasts several impressive features, including numerous collaborative spaces – some of which are outdoors – designed to enhance student learning.
In addition to the opening of Martinez Elementary, Newton Rayzor Elementary and Calhoun Middle School’s replacement campuses also opened on Aug. 7. Both these schools were funded by the 2018 capital improvement plan, and both are now located on the site of the old Denton High School.
After 64 years on Malone Street, Newton Rayzor is now located at 1221 Crescent Street. Calhoun Middle is now located at 1125 Crescent Street, and its mascot has also switched from the Cougars to the Colts – reverting back to the school’s original mascot. Calhoun’s colors are now purple and white, which follow the school’s feeder pattern to Denton High.
