EL PASO, TX — Canutillo Independent School District (ISD), in collaboration with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions, recently began construction on a new 119,000-square-foot elementary school in the Enchanted Hills subdivision in west El Paso, Texas. The relocation from the school’s longtime home in the Westway neighborhood is part of the district’s $387 million Canutillo 2024 initiative to provide students with modern, safe, and inspiring learning environments. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.
Designed by Pfluger Architects with construction administration led by El Paso firm Carl Daniel Architects, the new $73.9 million Davenport Elementary School will include 36 classrooms for Pre-K through fifth-grade students, collaborative learning spaces, a gymnasium, library, cafeteria, and outdoor areas designed to support curiosity, collaboration, and belonging for learners of all ages. Inspired by the Main Overlook Point and shaped by the presence of the Franklin Mountains, the school’s design is intended to represent growth, connection, and possibility, with a site orientation that responds to the natural slope of the terrain, creating a relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The team used the landscape to shape the building and reinforce its connection to the horizon.
The school’s central corridor acts as “El Mirador,” a framed vista that captures a view of the adjacent mountain range. Throughout the building, angled windows offer subtle glimpses of the mountains, connecting students to the landscape as they move through the school.
“The school acts as a bridge between the Westway neighborhood and the new southern developments, inviting students to look toward their future while remaining grounded in community,” said Christian Owens, Principal Design Director at Pfluger Architects. “El Mirador is a symbol of community connection and pride, where the design merges storytelling, biophilic elements, and cultural identity to create an environment that celebrates both place and possibility.”
Natural daylight, thoughtful building orientation, and durable materials were carefully considered to perform within the desert climate and withstand daily use by active students. Finishes are resilient and low-maintenance, ensuring longevity and flexibility while supporting comfort and sustainability. The color palette throughout the school draws from the region’s native flora, fauna, and desert terrain. Warm, natural tones and tactile finishes strengthen the building’s connection to the land and community. A forthcoming mural created by a local artist will extend the story of Canutillo’s culture and landscape onto the building itself.
“The new Deanna Davenport Elementary will give our students and teachers the tools and spaces they need to continue excelling,” Principal Guadalupe Montañez said. “This facility will support academic excellence, promote creativity and curiosity, and strengthen our sense of community.”
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The new campus is a celebration of the school’s namesake, Deanna Davenport, a Canutillo alumna and teacher. As the district’s boundaries expand to meet the needs of the fast-growing Northwest El Paso area, Davenport Elementary signals a step forward in the district’s commitment to growth, modern learning environments, and community connectivity.
“As we move into Enchanted Hills, we carry that spirit forward, connecting two vibrant communities that make Canutillo ISD the special family it is,” Interim Superintendent Jesica Arellano, Ph.D., said. “This move allows us to serve the growing population of northwest El Paso, maximize enrollment, and ensure that every child continues to learn in a school that inspires creativity, collaboration, and pride.”
Renderings courtesy of Pfluger Architects
