On Tuesday, August 5, VLK joined Birdville ISD for the ribbon cutting of the new Alliene Mullendore Elementary School, attended by the school board, staff, community members, and students. Located at 4100 Flory Street in North Richland Hills, the new campus replaces the original 1955 facility and now serves as the district’s first Preparatory STEM Academy.
Designed by VLK and funded by the district’s voter-approved 2022 Bond, the 101,837 sf facility reflects a forward-thinking vision while honoring the legacy of its namesake, Alliene Mullendore. A beloved educator and trailblazer, Mullendore began her teaching career at the age of 17. She then went on to serve Birdville ISD as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and the first woman elected to the Birdville ISD Board of Trustees.
Serving students in pre-K through fifth grade, the new Mullendore Elementary is designed to equip learners with the tools and environments needed for success in an evolving academic landscape. As a preparatory STEM Academy, the campus features hands-on learning spaces including a makerspace, project-based science labs, and outdoor learning areas, all designed to build early fluency in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students attending Mullendore Elementary will feed into North Richland Middle School, a designated STEM school.
Inspired by the idea of gathering around a campfire, the school’s design incorporates storybook-style murals featuring trees, tents, and glowing flames. Bright collaborative spaces and modern materials foster a vibrant, inviting atmosphere that nurtures both academic and emotional development.
Together, these design and educational elements embody the values Alliene Mullendore championed: kindness, hard work, and a deep commitment to children. Her legacy is reflected through a space built to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and inspired.
Mullendore Elementary is currently accepting open enrollment applications for the 2025–2026 school year. As the district’s only Preparatory STEM Academy, the school offers a unique, hands-on learning environment designed to spark curiosity and prepare students for long-term academic success.
“We are excited to bring this new, vibrant learning space to the families and community of Mullendore Elementary. This building is so much more than the brick and mortar — it’s a living legacy of Alliene Mullendore, an individual whose impact on Birdville ISD continues decades after her service, and it will continue to serve as the heartbeat of this longstanding community. Thank you to our partners at VLK for helping bring this vision to life.”
Dr. Gayle Stinson, Birdville ISD Superintendent
