Early Boerne Schools

In the early days of Boerne’s history, school was taught in a local house and it is believed that Professor Karl Dienger was the first private school teacher in Boerne. The first public school teacher was Herman Toepperwein. He began teaching students for $25 per month in 1847. It wasn’t until 1874 that the first public school building was built. It was a two-room schoolhouse and the first class had 19 students. This building is being used as offices today.

As the city grew in population, a much larger two-story school was needed. This 1911 building is located on Blanco Road and may look familiar to you as our City Municipal Building. As you explore the city of Boerne with your family or on a field trip, be sure to look behind this “Big School” for the two-room schoolhouse

Our city has continued to grow and many more schools have been added. In 2008 the Samuel V. Champion High School opened making it Boerne’s second high school. Look at the picture below from 1908. Imagine school life without computers, ballpoint pens, pencils, paper, or even, shoes!

What’s in a Name?

Ever wonder where your school got its name from? Look at the list below and see if you can find out how your school got its name.

Fabra Elementary- Fabra is named for Henry Fabra. Mr. Fabra was a member and president of the Boerne ISD school board. He was the grandson of Julius Fabra, a German immigrant, who owned the local butcher shop and smokehouse. Originally located in the Old High School and current Boerne Independent School District Administration offices, the school was moved in 2016 about 1 mile closer to I10 in Johns Road. (See Fabra Smokehouse)

Curington Elementary- Curington opened in 1977 and was originally known as Boerne Elementary. In 1993, the name was changed in honor of its first principal, Charles E. Curington, a graduate of Boerne High School.

Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary- This school was built in 1994 and is named for the 5,000 acre ranch owned by the Ralph Fair family.

Kendall Elementary- The rapid growth in Kendall County created the need for a fourth elementary. It was completed in 2000 and is named for our county, which was named in honor of George Kendall. (See George Kendall.)

Cibolo Creek Elementary- This school opened in 2008 and is named after the beautiful creek near which it is located. (See Cibolo Creek)

Van Raub Elementary- School Opened in 2018 to relieve overcrowding at Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary and Kendall Elementary. Van Raub was named for the town and that used to be located in the area. The original school house is still located on the same site as the New Van Raub Elementary

Dr. Ferdinand L. Herff Elementary School- The seventh Elementary school in Boerne ISD Opening in 2019. Located in the Esperanza Subdivision and named after Dr. Ferdinand Herff.

Tyler Voss Middle School- Opening for the 2019-2020 school year, the newest Middle school in Boerne ISD is named after Captain Tyler Voss. Captain Voss was a graduate of Boerne High School and the United States Air Force Academy. Captain Voss died in the line of duty in Kyrgyzstan in 2013.

Boerne Middle Schools North- Located across from the Boerne Administration Offices, the BMSN main building was formerly Boerne High School. Students from Fabra, Curington and Cibolo Creek elementary will attend this middle school.

Boerne Middle School South BMSS- Opened in 2000, is located across from Kendall Elementary and is in the southern portion of the Boerne. Students from Fair Oaks Elementary, Kendall elementary, Van Raub Elementary and Cibolo Creek Elementary attend this middle school.

Boerne High School- This school was built in 1971 on land donated by the Herff Family. During the 2008-2009 school year Boerne High School was closed and remodeled, and the new Boerne High School re-opened in 2009. It is the home of the Greyhounds. BMSN students attend this high school. Boerne ISD Stadium is located at BHS and is home to both High Schools football teams.

Samuel V. Champion High School- The newest high school opened its doors in 2008. Named after Mr. Sam Champion, a beloved former student, teacher, coach, and principal, who was dedicated to Boerne students. It is home of the Chargers. BMSS students attend this campus.

Boerne ISD has a long history of remodeling and repurposing it’s school buildings. Below are two examples of this. In the first two pictures we see the Original Boerne High School built in 1929. It has served as a High School, Elementary School and now Serves as the main Administration Offices for Boerne Independent School District.

These next two pictures show the second Boerne High School as it looked in 1944, before it was repurposed as Boerne Middle School with the opening of the new BHS in 1971, and how it looks today as Boerne Middle School South.