New Dobbs Replacement Elementary School Opens in Rockwall ISD
Rockwall, Texas – On August 20, VLK Architects and Rockwall ISD celebrated the first day of school for students, staff, and administrators at the new Dobbs Replacement Elementary School. Construction of this project began in the spring of 2017 as a product of the approved 2015 Bond Referendum. The replacement campus is 92,258 sf and will serve grades PreK-6.
The previous Dobbs Elementary Campus was built in 1970 and was originally named Rockwall Elementary School. In 1979, it was renamed in honor of Howard Dobbs, a respected coach, science teacher, and principal of Rockwall Junior High and Rockwall Elementary Schools. Dobbs Elementary School has a pristine reputation and a history that makes moving into a new facility exciting and nostalgic.
To honor the longstanding legacy of Dobbs that spans over three generations, the new school will feature similar flooring materials, paint colors, wall tiles, and the signature orange and black yellow jacket that is showcased in the current building. The new campus includes features to improve flexibility, educational appropriateness, security, and efficiency of the old Dobbs Elementary.
The new classroom wings can be secured to separate public and private spaces during community events, all classrooms feature natural light and views to the outdoors, some even have direct access to outside learning spaces. Classrooms incorporate flexible designs that allow for interchangeable grade use year after year. All special programs rooms were designed to be adjacent to each other, adding to the buildings security, efficiency, and appropriateness.