Bishop Elementary School opened in 1966 as a one-of-a kind open concept school. That was a new experimental concept that was popular during that era. School were planned and built with no physical walls separating classrooms. Areas were marked by learning areas and students were free to move from area to area. Social and emotional growth appeared to be enhanced and children grew in independence and responsibility.
However, as the world grew to be a more dangerous place, the lack of walls and open concept was determined to not be a safe environment for children. School shootings led state and national officials to recommend that open concept schools be replaced or rebuilt to allow for a more secure environment. At the end of the 2016-2017 school year, Bishop ceased functioning as an elementary school and students, along with those from Shaner and Avondale West, were moved to a brand new school called Jardine Elementary. It was attached to Jardine Middle School as a PK-8 campus and was defined as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) school.
In April of 2014, voters approved a bond issue to build new schools and upgrade other buildings with new gyms and FEMA shelters. Bishop Elementary School was slated to become a new state-of-the art professional learning center. On October 17, 2019, a ribbon cutting and open house was held to open the new center. A mural depicting the historic Brown v Board decision was painted in the Café by local artist, Andy Valdivia. All of the classrooms, meeting rooms, teaming rooms, and offices were named after schools that were closed as part of the Brown v Board landmark case.