Wharton Dual Language Academy

Within the United States it has one of the oldest dual language bilingual programs that occupy entire campuses.

In addition there were plans for updated internet capacity, additional restrooms, an art room, a larger cafeteria, a technology laboratory, a multipurpose area, a science room, and a new library.

[16] In late September 2007, HISD superintendent Abelardo Saavedra announced that HISD planned to seek the closure of Wharton Elementary by the 2009–2010 school year and move its program to either Gregory-Lincoln or Milam Elementary School; the latter would have been reopened as that campus was previously closed.

[17] It was proposed due to the school's small enrollment and the district's budgetary issues.

[19] Parents were also opposed to the idea of consolidating with Gregory-Lincoln as it had inferior disciplinary and academic statistics.

A Houston Chronicle editorial criticized the proposal to close the school due to its high academic performance.

[17] The East Montrose Civic Association worked with the Friends of Wharton group in an effort to save the school, and all of the member organizations of the Neartown Association voted to make efforts to save Wharton.

[11] That year the Houston Chronicle stated that Wharton is "one of a handful of HISD elementary schools considered architecturally significant.

"[3] Architect Harry D. Payne stated that he gave the school building a Lombard Italian style.

[3] The building comes in a buff cast stone trim in a brown sandstone-like red color.

[22] Wharton's sister schools are River Oaks, Briscoe, Field, Henderson, and Poe elementaries, which all share the same floor plan.

[17] In 2016, the SPARK Park and baseball field, as well as the school's outdoor covered basketball court, were removed to make way for the construction of a new building.

[25] This new building, completed in 2019, is 3 stories tall and features an indoor gym, maker spaces, and a central courtyard.

Since every classroom, from Kinder-5th, is a dual language classroom, English dominate students moving into the Wharton school zone after 1st grade will receive a regular English language education at the Gregory Lincoln Education Complex two blocks from Wharton.

Reflecting the bilingual structure of the school, students may take state achievement tests in either English or Spanish.