Dr. Joseph Torres Elementary School

ERO’s skills and experience in community engagement were challenged from the start in working with the El Paso ISD to effectively implement projects associated with a $668.8 million bond issue. ERO partnered with the school district in working through design content issues with community stakeholders. A key issue was the plan to have one new elementary school on El Paso’s northeast side to unify Bradley and Fannin Elementary Schools. The advice and counsel of the area’s neighborhoods was for a future campus to be located at the Bradley Elementary site. The new school integrated about 54,075 square feet of renovated existing space with 49,950 square feet of new construction space. Over 1000 pre-kindergarten to fifth grade students are accommodated at a new school with a 21st Century environment.

The new construction portion of the project was designed to safely separate the areas of student drop-off, bus drop-off, and the service yard. There is a new administrative suite with a well-defined school entrance that is compliant with City of El Paso design requirements. The suite also includes a new library, teacher workroom, and an early childhood center for grades pre-K to first grade with a secured playground. The new school portion features a 21st Century design which encourages exploration and experimentation.

The existing portion of the campus was renovated to integrate new classrooms to augment existing space required for second-through-fifth grades. There are learning centers for art, science, computers, and music, with a multi-purpose cafetorium that includes a movable stage. New restroom facilities were built for students and staff along with a new teacher workroom and ancillary administrative offices.