A New Era Begins for Alderete Middle School as Canutillo ISD Breaks Ground on Modern Campus

The Canutillo Independent School District officially began the construction of the new Alderete Middle School at its new location – the start of a new era for the school that intends to bridge the historic community of Canutillo with the new neighborhoods popping up near the Cimarron  and Enchanted Hills subdivisions. 

The $106.8 million project is part of the voter-approved Canutillo Bond 2024 program and represents a major investment in the district’s future. The new campus will replace the current Alderete Middle School on Talbot Road and bring a state-of-the-art educational facility closer to the growing neighborhoods of Northwest El Paso.

Set along Resler Drive, the new 165,000-square-foot school will be a model of modern education and community design. Plans call for 21st Century classrooms equipped with the latest technology, collaborative learning spaces, and flexible areas that foster creativity and problem-solving. The building will feature administrative offices, a library, a cafeteria and kitchen, and a full range of athletic facilities. Architects DLR Group and Root Architects designed the project to take advantage of the natural landscape, blending the beauty of the Franklin Mountains with the school’s open learning spaces.

Construction of the project is being managed by Procedeo, the district’s bond management company, with Banes General Contractor serving as the general contractor. The school is expected to open in 2027.

Dr. Jesica Arellano, the district’s interim superintendent, said the groundbreaking was more than just the start of construction — it was the start of a long-awaited dream for the Canutillo community.

“This is a great day for our district, our students and our families,” Arellano said. “For years we have struggled to retain students in Northwest El Paso because we didn’t have conveniently located schools in this part of the District. Thanks to the foresight of our voters, we are now able to build a modern campus that keeps families in our district and provides our students with every opportunity to thrive.”

The relocation of Alderete Middle School is part of a larger districtwide effort to “right-place” schools — aligning campuses with current and projected growth patterns to better serve families while stabilizing enrollment and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

Board President Armando Rodriguez said the new Alderete Middle School will help connect the district’s rich past with its promising future.

“In many ways, this school represents the bridge between the historic Canutillo and the new Canutillo,” Rodriguez said. “It honors the legacy of the Alderete family, who have been part of this community for more than a century, while also looking forward to the next generation of students who will continue that tradition of pride and excellence.”

The Alderete name has been synonymous with Canutillo for decades. Jose Alderete, for whom the school is named, was a respected community leader, businessman and former Canutillo ISD trustee. Nearly a dozen members of the Alderete family attended the ceremony, celebrating both the school’s legacy and its new beginning.

Among them was Margie Chacon, Alderete’s daughter, who spoke of her father’s love for the community and his belief in education as a foundation for success. She said the new school is a fitting tribute to the values he championed.

“The name Alderete is about more than a building — it’s about family, service and commitment to Canutillo,” Chacon said. “Seeing this new campus rise from the ground is proof that his legacy lives on in every student who will walk through its doors.”

The new Alderete Middle School will serve as a hub for innovation, designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. The facility will include science and technology labs, adaptable classrooms, and outdoor spaces that connect learning with nature. District leaders emphasized that the design reflects Canutillo ISD’s commitment to academic excellence and student well-being.

Rodriguez noted that the Alderete project is one of several major initiatives funded by the Canutillo Bond 2024 program. The $387 million bond — the largest per-capita bond ever approved in El Paso County — is transforming Canutillo ISD through new construction, modernization projects, and investments in safety and security.

“This bond is about more than buildings,” Rodriguez said. “It’s about building confidence in our future. Every groundbreaking, every ribbon cutting, every new classroom brings us closer to a stronger, more unified Canutillo.”

Arellano echoed that sentiment, saying the new Alderete Middle School will not only meet current needs but also inspire future generations of learners.

“This is what happens when a community believes in its schools,” she said. “This new Alderete will be a place where students discover who they are, where teachers have the tools to help them grow, and where families can take pride in knowing their children are getting the best education possible.”

As construction equipment roared to life behind the speakers’ podium, the crowd of students, staff and residents applauded the first scoop of dirt — a symbolic start to what many called one the most transformative project in the district’s history.