Dallas ISD is joining the 2025–2026 Caudill Class, the highest honor awarded through the Exhibit of School Architecture program, for Career Institute North and Geneva Heights Elementary School, both of which were made possible through the district’s 2020 Bond Program.
CI North, which was originally built as Walnut Hill Elementary School, was severely damaged by an EF3 tornado in 2019. Rather than demolish the site, Dallas ISD transformed the campus into a state-of-the-art career and technical education facility, which opened in 2023.
Now, CI North serves students from five North Dallas high schools, offering more than 16 career pathways and a range of hands-on learning opportunities. Graduates earn industry-recognized certifications that support immediate workforce entry and long-term career development.
Geneva Heights Elementary School, originally built in 1931 with a distinctive art deco red-brick façade, was thoughtfully renovated and reimagined to balance historic preservation with modern learning needs. Throughout the design process, the district engaged community members to ensure the campus reflected both its historic roots and the needs of today’s students.
With the addition of a contemporary wing, the campus can now accommodate up to 750 students from pre-K through fifth grade. The updated campus now includes naturally lit collaboration spaces, outdoor gardens, and flexible learning zones around a central courtyard, supporting a vibrant, student-centered environment that honors the school’s legacy in its historic neighborhood.
Projects selected for the Caudill Class were showcased at the 2026 Texas Association of School Administrators Midwinter Conference in San Antonio.
