As spring unfolds across Dallas, so does the busiest season of Community Campus Day (CCD). Classrooms are being reimagined. Outdoor spaces are coming to life. Libraries are transforming into hubs of curiosity and career exploration.
What began as a grassroots effort now supports 31 Dallas ISD elementary schools during the 2025–26 school year, mobilizing up to 2,000 volunteers and rallying sponsors who believe our city’s students are empowered in spaces that invite learning, belonging, and possibility.
What Is Community Campus Day?
Community Campus Day is United to Learn’s campus enhancement initiative that brings together volunteers, sponsors, and Dallas ISD campus leaders to strengthen learning environments. Through private funding and volunteer engagement, we partner directly with schools to design projects that align with campus goals and support student and educator success.
More Intentional. More Aligned. Still Community-Powered.
As CCD has grown, it has become more strategic in design and deeper in collaboration with principals and teachers. Projects this year include:
- Interactive STEM and STEAM learning spaces
- Outdoor classrooms and learning gardens
- Teacher collaboration and wellness spaces
- Culture- and values-driven murals
- Library and learning hub transformations
Dallas ISD elementary campuses can participate in two ways: through cohort selection (in partnership with Dallas ISD leadership) or through the DreamBig! application (open to all United to Learn network schools). Either way, every project is rooted in campus priorities and built to create meaningful, student-centered change.
Spotlight: William M. Anderson Elementary and Avondale Group
This February, volunteers from Avondale Group rolled up their sleeves at William M. Anderson Elementary School in Pleasant Grove—beginning prep work on a DreamBig! library transformation sponsored by Avondale, scheduled for completion in April.
“At Avondale, we are committed to elevating experiences in education for the communities we serve,” said Hesham Elgaghil, President of Avondale. “Partnering with United to Learn to create an automotive-themed learning space at William Anderson Elementary School in DISD is a meaningful investment in our community’s future. When a child walks into that space and dreams of being an engineer, a technician, a driver, or a designer, a spark is ignited that can elevate the trajectory of their education and their life. Avondale proudly supports STEM initiatives that bring a new level of engagement to students and teachers.”
It’s a strong example of how United to Learn helps align a school’s vision with a community partner’s strengths, so the result feels relevant, joyful, and connected to what students are already curious about.
The Impact in Action: Fridia’s Innovation Lab
Earlier this year, a DreamBig! Innovation Lab opened at Otto M. Fridia Elementary School, expanding hands-on learning experiences that help students connect classroom skills to real-world applications.
Principal Christofor Stephens shared:
“What you’ve done is help us do something we could not do on our own… You’ve helped us make that vision a reality.”
He described how students will use reading, math, science, and technology in practical ways, seeing that comprehension leads to research and numbers can lead to design and engineering. That’s the heart of CCD: strengthening environments to spark excitement about learning.
Built to Last — Strengthening Learning Environments and School Culture
Community Campus Day is about more than updated spaces. It’s about improving learning environments in ways that reinforce school culture and well-being for students and educators.
New in 2026, every CCD project includes a sustainability plan developed in collaboration with campus leaders. From maintaining outdoor classrooms to caring for collaborative spaces, we aim to ensure these environments continue serving students long after installation day.
“Community Campus Day starts with listening,” said Alexia Piquet, United to Learn’s Director of Learning Environments. “When we align projects with campus goals and plan for long-term care, we’re not just improving buildings — we’re supporting the work that happens inside them every day.”
By strengthening physical spaces, we help schools cultivate pride, connection, and momentum that carry throughout the year.
Community at the Center
At its heart, Community Campus Day remains an open invitation. Individuals, families, corporate teams, and community organizations come together on campuses, building relationships while strengthening the spaces where students learn and grow.
CCD 2026 is made possible through the generosity of community sponsors who invest in schools, students, and the educators who guide them every day.
We are grateful to our 2026 CCD Chair, Laura Whitley, and the following CCD 2026 sponsors as of February 17, 2026.
- Atmos Energy
- Avondale Group
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Byrne Family Foundation Trust – Fast Track Grant
- Cresta Fund Management
- Ernst and Young
- Gaedeke Group
- Hilti
- Hoblitzelle Foundation
- Insperity
- Invitation Homes
- Jackson Walker
- Origin Bank
- Joel Robuck
- Nicole and Justin Small
- Sturgis Foundation
- Truist
- Vizient
- Weaver
- Williams Family Foundation
There’s still time be a part of Community Campus Day 2026. Sign up to get involved or find out more information below.
Spring 2026: Join Us
Spring is full of upcoming projects across the city, including DreamBig! library transformations, outdoor classrooms, leadership spaces, murals, and wellness-focused enhancements. There’s still time to be part of it.
Volunteer at a Community Campus Day Event
Join corporate teams, families, and community members showing up for Dallas ISD campuses this spring.
Become a Community Campus Day Sponsor
Invest in a school improvement project and help bring campus-led visions to life.
Learn More About CCD
Explore project stories, upcoming dates, and ways to engage.
Visit the Community Campus Day hub
Community Campus Day 2025–2026 Project Schedule
All dates are subject to final confirmation.
Completed Projects (Fall 2025)
- John Neely Bryan Elementary: Computer Lab (DreamBig!) – Read the story
- Otto M. Fridia Elementary: Innovation Lab (DreamBig!)
- Ben Milam Elementary: Spirit Store
- Stevens Park Elementary: Teacher Lounge Renovation (DreamBig!)
- Seagoville North Elementary: Spirit Store (DreamBig!)
- John Quincy Adams Elementary: Classroom Transformation Kits
- Tom C. Gooch Elementary: Outdoor STEAM Lab
- Marcus Leadership Academy: House Olympics
- Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, M.D. Elementary: Shared Vision Mural
Spring 2026 Projects – Sign up to volunteer
- Julius Dorsey Leadership Academy: STEAM Lab (DreamBig!)
- Pleasant Grove Elementary: Teacher Lounge Renovation (DreamBig!)
- William M. Anderson Elementary: Library Cleanup (DreamBig!)
- Jerry Junkins Elementary: Outdoor Social Learning Space
- Adelfa Botello Callejo Elementary: Collaborative Learning Space
- H.I. Holland Elementary: Spirit Store
- J.P. Starks Math, Science, and Technology Vanguard: Inspiration Murals (DreamBig!)
- Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy: Mindfulness Corners & Feelings Wall
- Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary: Outdoor Classroom (DreamBig!)
- J.N. Ervin Elementary: Outdoor Learning Space
- Bayles Elementary: Leadership Podcast Room (DreamBig!)
- Preston Hollow Elementary: Library Transformation (DreamBig!)
- Jill Stone Elementary at Vickery Meadow: Reader’s Theater Stage
- H.S. Thompson STEAM Academy: Collaboration Spaces & Hallway Sensory Paths
- Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary: Outdoor Play Area Revamp
- Harrell Budd Elementary: Project TBD
- William M. Anderson Elementary: Library Transformation (DreamBig!)
- Whitney M. Young, Jr. Elementary: Outdoor Classroom (DreamBig!)
- Clara Oliver Elementary: Library Transformation (DreamBig!)
- Lee McShan, Jr. Elementary: Inspiration Murals
- Thelma E. Page Richardson Elementary: Classroom Transformation Kits
- Lida Hooe Elementary: House Olympics
Ready to support Dallas ISD schools this spring? Sign up to volunteer or explore sponsorship opportunities today.