Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD — Parkway Elementary School
Architect: Parkhill
“DREAM. DISCOVER. LEARN. CREATE. PLAY.
These powerful words, showcased in 24-inch letters at the entrance of the newly established Parkway Elementary, embody the aspirations of this modern community learning hub.
The journey to Parkway Elementary spans three years and is driven by community collaboration. An enrollment forecast and facility assessment ultimately indicated that the district would need space for an additional 900 students to accommodate the growth and replacement of the aging facilities. However, concerns were raised about the quality of learning opportunities and personalized attention each student would receive at a school of that size. At the time, the district’s largest elementary school had just over 600 students. To address this concern, multiple community engagement activities took place through workshops focusing on existing research, cost implications, and innovative approaches to designing schools for 900 students. Options reviewed at the time varied between two separate 450-student schools on two separate sites to a single 900-student elementary.
After months of collaboration, research, and debate regarding academic achievement/student engagement, exceptional educational design, and cost implications, the community decided on a hybrid option of two separate 450-student schools on a single site within a single building.
This design aligns with current literature regarding smaller instructional settings through its four 225-student “cities” while taking advantage of the cost implications realized through the economy of scale associated with a larger campus design. To further enhance more personalized learning opportunities, each 225-student “city” is broken down into two smaller collaborative “neighborhoods.” Each neighborhood includes a shared collaboration space surrounded by classrooms, a conference room, restrooms, and a teacher Professional Learning Community (PLC) collaboration area.
By consolidating the kitchen, library, cafeteria, and arts area, the campus design realized a space savings of 18,100 SF, saving the district approximately $5 million in initial construction costs and around $32 million in total ownership expenses over 40 years.
The customized steel framing, vibrant ductwork, and playful window design harmoniously merge vital building systems with interior visual appeal. A distinct wolf species and habitat symbolize each grade level. As students traverse the building, they encounter a variety of environments and wolf types, converging in the commons area as one cohesive Monahans Loboe. The school district spells their mascot “Loboes” as a unique twist on the word “Lobos,” meaning “wolves” in Spanish, and is a unique local tradition that sets the community apart.”
Design
“Undulating WINDOWS MIMIC SAND DUNE patterns from the local Monahans Sandhill State Park, while earthy-toned concrete blocks and reflective gray metal panels evoke the LANDSCAPE AND SKY. These thoughtful materials soften the building’s mass and create a WELCOMING PRESENCE SCALED FOR CHILDREN.
The “LOBOES FOR LIFE” motto near the library, reminding students that LEARNING IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.
Inside and out, the design embraces the values of
DREAM CREATE. PLAY. LEARN. DISCOVER. through playful forms and bold color.
Parkway Elementary UNITES identity and learning through four themed grade-level cities, each represented by a distinct wolf species. This FOSTERS PRIDE, BUILDS CONTINUITY, and allows students to see themselves as part of a CONNECTED whole. Visual storytelling continues in the commons area, where a vibrant mural of multicolored triangles—each symbolizing a UNIQUE STUDENT GROUP—forms a single Monahans Lobo.”
Value
“Parkway Elementary maximizes value through
STRATEGIC LAND USE, SHARED CORE SPACES, AND EFFICIENT MATERIAL CHOICES.
By consolidating two schools onto a single 14-acre site, the district preserved additional acreage, reduced infrastructure needs, and minimized costs for event parking, utilities, and access drives.
“The classroom hubs provide much more COLLABORATION and will make our kids more SUCCESSFUL. The building as a whole is wonderful but probably my favorite part is the COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
the teachers will have.” Chad Smith, Monahans Superintendent of Schools.
NATURAL LIGHT strategies—including skylights and clerestory windows—significantly decrease reliance on artificial lighting and HVAC systems.
This design blends the advantages of SMALL-SCALE LEARNING with the EFFICIENCIES of a consolidated campus. Core spaces—like the kitchen, cafeteria, library, and arts—are shared, SAVING 18,100 SF in space and $5 million in upfront costs, with an estimated $32 MILLION IN SAVINGS OVER 40 YEARS.”
Wellness
“Parkway Elementary supports the WHOLE STUDENT through a design that emphasizes FLEXIBILITY, NATURAL LIGHT, AND INCLUSIVITY. Light studies and strategic spatial planning ensured that every instructional and shared space benefits from ABUNDANT, BALANCED NATURAL LIGHT.
This SUSTAINABILITY-DRIVEN design not only lowers energy consumption but also ENHANCES USER COMFORT-positioning Parkway as both a FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE and environmentally conscious investment.
Classrooms, offices, and common areas are GENEROUSLY ILLUMINATED WITH DAYLIGHT, thanks to an integrated system of skylights, ribbon windows, clerestories, and translucent panels.
Optimized lighting levels, reduce glare, and minimize the need for artificial lighting.
VARIED ROOM SIZES from small one-on-one settings to larger collaboration zones create a DYNAMIC, STUDENT-CENTERED ENVIRONMENT where every learner can thrive.”
Community
“30-MEMBER COMMUNITY-FOCUSED COMMITTEE with from students, teachers, and parents in planning sessions.
Schools used for local community SPORTS, EVENTS, AND RECREATIONAL activities.
“”LOBOES FOR LIFE”” motto embraces both alumni and new residents.
The school is organized into
FOUR NEIGHBORHOODS,
each corresponding to a grade level or
“PACK”. Themed wolf types represent each neighborhood.
The theme fosters a SENSE OF COMMUNITY
and fluid transitions between neighborhoods.
Easy ACCESS for students and the broader community.
Designed for after-school events and community gatherings. The school’s architecture strengthens this sense of connection. Welcoming brick-paved walkways, seamless perimeter pathways, and inclusive entries reinforce the school’s identity as the heart of the community.”
Planning
“Over a THREE-YEAR PERIOD, The design team worked closely with MONAHANS-WICKETT-PYOTE ISD AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY to shape a school that reflects the district’s goals and the community’s aspirations. Through workshops, focus groups, and campus tours, teachers, administrators, maintenance staff, parents, and city leaders contributed to a shared vision:
A FUN, CREATIVE, AND FLEXIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT COULD GROW WITH THE DISTRICT.
During planning, the team embraced the idea of TEACHER COLLABORATION rooms over individually owned classrooms. Educators were energized by the concept of shared LEARNING COMMUNITIES—spaces where professionals work side by side to SUPPORT STUDENT GROWTH.
Previously, third grade was housed with younger students, limiting collaboration with upper-grade teachers. The NEW CAMPUS UNIFIES grades 3–6, enabling VERTICAL ALIGNMENT and giving younger students ACCESS to facilities like the library, fine arts rooms, and maker space previously reserved for older grades.
By centering on the VOICES OF EDUCATORS and the broader community, the planning process produced a school that is both VISIONARY AND DEEPLY ROOTED IN MONAHANS’ VALUES.
At the heart of each grade-level neighborhood are flexible collaboration hubs, supported by perimeter classrooms for traditional instruction. The facility also includes a range of shared spaces from small intervention rooms to expansive labs that accommodate art, science, maker, and computer learning. This variety ensures adaptability for both current programming and future educational needs.”
School Transformation
“Parkway Elementary REIMAGINES what an elementary school can be—delivering FLEXIBLE, STUDENT-CENTERED environments that FOSTER CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND SUCCESS.
Organized into grade-level neighborhoods, each “micro-school” includes a dedicated collaboration hub, restrooms, one-on-one learning space, special education support, and direct access to both the main hallway and playground. This setup NURTURES INDEPENDENCE while keeping students connected to a larger, UNIFIED CAMPUS COMMUNITY.
The facility operates as two distinct schools under one roof, with separate entrances, administrative areas, and hallways—each supported by its own principal, assistant principal, and nurse. At the building’s core, a shared lounge and workroom encourage collaboration between the two academic communities, achieving a balance between autonomy and connection.
The design team and the City of Monahans envisioned Parkway not just as a school, but as an investment in the future. The building’s energy-efficient, cost-conscious design delivers long-term value while providing a safe, vibrant space for students to grow and thrive. With its innovative layout, inclusive features, and inspiring design, Parkway Elementary sets a new standard for modern learning environments—empowering every student with the tools to dream big and succeed.”
Star of Distinction Category Winner