Martinez Elementary School

Rapid growth in Denton ISD required opening three elementary schools—one within a year of bond passage. Dorothy Martinez Elementary in Little Elm channels that urgency into a reimagined learning model shaped by a collaborative visioning process. Instead of isolated classroom wings, the school is organized around a unified core where library, dining, and courtyard converge—one fluid, flexible zone that lets learning move freely across grades with shared energy and momentum.

The exterior makes that idea visible. Clad in King Klinker America Black Beauty thin brick, the façade uses the American Imperial size (19 5/8" × 2 ¼" × 9/16") installed vertically to elongate proportions and draw the eye upward. While we cannot speak for the architect’s decisions, the deep tone and vertical rhythm of Black Beauty appear to convey calm, strength, and aspiration—an expression that mirrors the school’s emphasis on movement, connection, and shared community spaces.

Inside and out, the design shows how material and layout can shape experience. By pairing a community-centered core with the striking presence of Black Beauty thin brick, Dorothy Martinez Elementary creates an environment that is open, accessible, and focused on possibility—supporting curiosity, collaboration, and a strong sense of belonging for students, staff, and families.