Students and staff at Farmers Branch Elementary School are marking the end of an era this school year as they prepare to say goodbye to their original campus and make way for a new, state-of-the-art replacement facility.

 

This year marks the final school year for the current building, which first opened its doors in 1967. As part of a $716 million bond package approved by voters in 2023, the school will be rebuilt on the existing site. The project aims to enhance student safety, upgrade facilities to meet contemporary instructional needs, and expand learning opportunities for students. Construction is slated to begin this summer and will continue beyond the 2026-27 school year.

 

"It is bittersweet to say goodbye to these halls, but we are thrilled about the incredible opportunities this new space will provide for our students," said Principal Rachel Langston. "We are building more than just a new school; we are building a foundation for the future of Farmers Branch Elementary."

 

During construction, students and staff will be temporarily housed at the Farmers Branch North campus, located at 1600 S. Perry Road. While R.L. Turner High School is currently using the facility as temporary classroom space, it will become available for Farmers Branch Elementary students starting this summer.

 

As the community prepares for the move, staff members are reflecting on the nearly six decades of memories held within the current building. For Diana Castillo, a Farmers Branch alumna and current kindergarten teacher on the campus, this transition comes with mixed emotions, as it represents both the end of cherished history and the beginning of a new chapter.

 

“It's a bittersweet moment because this is the building I went to school in, so knowing that it's going to be demolished pulls out my heartstrings,” said Castillo. “But FBE will always be home, no matter the location. And now we will have a new, beautiful building, which we're super excited about."

 

To ensure a smooth start this August, Farmers Branch families have received detailed information regarding the move to the temporary campus. The district anticipates returning to the new facility by the spring of the 2027–28 school year or the fall of the 2028–29 school year.

 

To commemorate the history of the current building, the campus will host a community walkthrough event on Friday, May 15. Families, community members, and alums are invited to visit the original site one last time to reflect on the school’s history and celebrate the upcoming improvements.

 

To learn more about the 2023 Bond, please visit CFBISD’s Bond webpage.