Martinez Elementary Opens as 26th Elementary School in Denton ISD

Martinez Elementary, named for longtime Denton ISD teacher and former member of the Board of School Trustees, Dorothy Martinez, opened on Wednesday, Aug. 7 as the 26th elementary school in the district. Martinez Elementary is the 45th campus in Denton ISD, as well as the eighth elementary school and the 12th total campus serving the Braswell High School attendance zone. 

“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.”

The school 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.

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. 

“Our goal is to create a nurturing and dynamic environment where every student can thrive and every family feels like a valued member of our school,” Ms. Hatcher said. “Together, we will celebrate the successes of our students and build lasting traditions.”