The school band began to play as elementary students sitting in the gymnasium came together to sing Menchaca Elementary School’s song. Children belted out the lyrics excited to start school in their new learning space. This is the fifth Menchaca elementary building in the last 137 years. The scene happened January 10 at the grand opening of the modernized Menchaca.

“The school is a modernized facility that reflects the best of who we are as a community,” said Principal Eliza Loyola. “We are so happy to bring our students into a clean beautiful new facility that encourages collaboration and creativity.” 

The modernized Menchaca was one of the first schools to open, funded by the 2017 bond program. The new school has a unique design that includes large windows that allow natural light into each class. Learning areas are spacious with new flexible furniture that allows teachers to change the layout of the classroom, making it new and different every day.

“I am so excited. I feel like the kids and community are so deserving of this space,” said Fourth-Grade Teacher Ashly Saenz. “Our old building didn’t allow us to facilitate the type of education that we want to give, but this campus has everything that we need and more.”

Early discussions on the design focused on the natural beauty of the site, which included several Texas oak trees. Three buildings with shaded outdoor collaboration space were designed around the heritage of the oak trees.
 
“It’s an amazing school and now they have an amazing building to learn in,” said Superintendent  Paul Cruz, 

“The new Menchaca is the culmination of years of hard work and planning by so many in our community. I am so glad that so many could join us to mark this historic moment for our district,” said Cruz.