Dallas Volunteers Unite to Transform Elementary School Learning Environments
What happens when hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, and educators unite to reimagine learning spaces across Dallas ISD? Big things.
This spring, Community Campus Day 2025—United to Learn’s 8th annual citywide service initiative—is transforming 33 elementary schools with campus improvement projects that enhance learning environments. From vibrant libraries and STEAM labs to calming corners and care closets, the impact will last far beyond this school year.
Dream Big! Projects Lead Innovation in Dallas Schools
Seventeen of this year’s 33 projects were Dream Big! initiatives, each resulting from campus leadership seizing the opportunity to imagine something fantastic for their school. While United to Learn provides a catalog of Community Campus Day project options that align with Dallas ISD campus goals, Dream Big! empowers principals and their teams to design one-of-a-kind projects that reach campus goals in bold, innovative ways. Working together, schools bring projects to life in partnership with United to Learn, sponsors, and volunteers from the community.
Dallas School Transformation Highlights from 2025
Cesar Chavez Elementary | Library Renovation Brings Reading to Life
With support from Truist and in collaboration with STEMscapes, volunteers helped revitalize Chavez Elementary’s library. The Library Renovation comes after seven years of not having a librarian or a functioning library. Volunteers upgraded the bookshelves, built flexible seating, and created a fire truck-themed reading nook. The emergency vehicle serves as a nod to the district’s emphasis on college and career readiness, specifically the EMT Pathway program at North Dallas High School, the campus to which Chavez Elementary students are zoned. Additionally, Truist shared financial literacy lessons with second-grade students, including the distinction between “needs” and “wants” and how this concept influences decision-making.
Juan Solis, Truist’s Vice President and Community Development Manager for Texas, expressed his gratitude to United to Learn and the 67 Truist volunteers on site that day. “Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities,” he explained. “Today, you helped us carry out that purpose.” He noted that students will enjoy the day’s effort for years to come and that they will know Truist sees and cares about them.
Esperanza “Hope” Medrano Elementary | Community Pantry Addresses Student Needs
Inspired by a beloved neighborhood grocery run by the school’s namesake and her family decades ago, the new Community Pantry honors legacy while meeting present-day needs. Influenced by a fifth-grade teacher and Medrano’s great-granddaughter Karina Solis, this Dream Big! project created and stocked a food pantry and care closet with essentials and planted a learning garden. The pantry will support local families and ensure students have the necessities to show up at school feeling ready to learn. Dozens of volunteers were on hand, including the Medrano family, project sponsor Ben Leal, volunteers from Kids Helping Kids and ESD, as well as numerous school families and the broader community. A professional muralist created two colorful murals celebrating the school’s history.
Gilbert Cuellar, Sr. Elementary | Outdoor Classroom Expands Learning Possibilities
Backed by Goldman Sachs, volunteers from The Hockaday School and Grow Garden Grow built a flexible Outdoor Classroom designed for hands-on, nature-based learning. Equipped with durable seating and a weather-resistant whiteboard, this space expands where and how learning happens.
Southern Dallas Shines with Educational Innovation Projects
Three Southern Dallas campuses are receiving exciting, student-centered upgrades that support hands-on learning and innovative instruction:
Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary STEAM Academy | Advanced Technology Lab
The STEAM Lab Renovation is transforming a traditional classroom into a hands-on, interactive space equipped with new furniture, 3D printers, and tablets. Volunteers from project sponsor Jacobs Engineering and Northridge Presbyterian Church helped set up the lab that supports exploration in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Richard Lagow Elementary School | STEAM Education Enhancement
A Dream Big! STEAM Lab Renovation is creating a vibrant, modern learning environment for students to dive into interdisciplinary projects. Volunteers from the Dallas Sai Center assembled furniture and set up the lab to enhance engagement through real-world learning.
H. S. Thompson Elementary School | Nature-Based Learning Space
The Outdoor Classroom project creates an inviting extension of the indoor learning environment, equipped with durable seating and a weather-resistant whiteboard to support hands-on, interactive lessons in nature. This outdoor space allows teachers to bring their curriculum outside, fostering creativity, engagement, and a deeper connection to learning through immersive experiences. The project is sponsored by the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
More Dallas ISD School Improvement Highlights:
Tom C. Gooch Elementary: Outdoor STEAM Lab sponsored by Options Clearing Corporation (OCC)
Preston Hollow Elementary: Outdoor social learning space with story walk and games, supported by Cresta Fund Management and Lapis Carbon Solutions with volunteers from Gaedeke and Lamplighter School
Arturo Salazar Elementary: Gym Refresh with new fitness equipment and school pride art, sponsored by Cambridge Companies with Park Cities YMSL volunteers
Dan D. Rogers & Oran M. Roberts: When rain delayed building an Outdoor Social Learning space with pickleball courts, raised garden beds, and a storywalk at Rogers Elementary, Resultant volunteers pivoted to Roberts Elementary, where they set up 20 focus nooks / brain break corners.
DeGolyer Elementary: New Spirit Store for student achievement rewards, sponsored by Comerica
Thank You to Our 2025 Community Campus Day Sponsors
We’re grateful to the companies and foundations that invested time, talent, and resources to make this year’s Dallas school improvements possible.
Why School Environment Improvements Matter
Research shows that upgraded school environments can boost student engagement by up to 15% and reduce teacher turnover by 25%. But more than numbers, these transformations send a clear message: Dallas shows up for its public schools.
Join the Dallas School Improvement Movement
Whether you’re looking to volunteer or explore sponsorship opportunities, you can help fuel what’s possible for Dallas ISD students.
👉 Join the Community Campus Day movement today
Related Resources:
- Learn about Community Campus Day
- Volunteer opportunities with United to Learn
- Dallas ISD Elementary Schools
Complete List of 2024–2025 Community Campus Day Projects in Dallas ISD
Albert C. Black Elementary School – Mindfulness Corners
Arcadia Park Elementary School – Spirit Store
Arturo Salazar Elementary School – Dream Big! Gym Refresh
Ascher Silberstein Elementary School – Dream Big! Outdoor Social Learning Space
C.A. Tatum, Jr. Elementary School – Dream Big! Cafeteria Renovation
Cesar Chavez Elementary School – Dream Big! Library Renovation
Chapel Hill Preparatory School – House Olympics (Student Experience Event)
Clinton P. Russell Elementary School – Spirit Store
Dan D. Rogers Elementary School – Dream Big! Outdoor Social Learning Space
Ebby Halliday Elementary School – Dream Big! Outdoor Classroom
Esperanza “Hope” Medrano Elementary School – Dream Big! Community Pantry
Everette Lee DeGolyer Elementary School – Dream Big! Spirit Store
Frederick Douglass Elementary School – Mindfulness Room
Gilbert Cuellar, Sr. Elementary School – Dream Big! Outdoor Classroom
H. S. Thompson Elementary School – Dream Big! Outdoor Classroom
H.I. Holland Elementary School At Lisbon – Spirit Store
Jerry R. Junkins Elementary School – Outdoor Social Learning Space
John Q. Adams Elementary School – House System
Jose “Joe” May Elementary School – Dream Big! Teacher Lounge Renovation
K.B. Polk Elementary School – Teacher Lounge Renovation
Maple Lawn Elementary School – Dream Big! School House System
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School – Spirit Store
Mount Auburn Steam Academy – STEAM Night (Student Experience Event)
Nancy J. Cochran Elementary School – Dream Big! Teacher Lounge Renovation
Oran M. Roberts Elementary School – Mindfulness Corners
Otto M. Fridia Elementary School – Dream Big! Mindfulness Room
Personalized Learning Academy at Highland Meadows – Dream Big! Library Renovation
Preston Hollow Elementary School – Outdoor Social Learning Space
Richard Lagow Elementary School – Dream Big! STEAM Lab
Seagoville Elementary School – Spirit Store + Book Bash
Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary STEAM Academy – Dream Big! STEAM Lab
Tom C. Gooch Elementary School – Dream Big! Outdoor STEAM Lab
William M. Anderson Elementary School – Spirit Store
Last updated: April 18, 2025