Stephen F. Austin High School (Austin, Texas)
Stephen F. Austin High School, more commonly known as Austin High, is a public high school in Austin, Texas, United States, and part of the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Founded in 1881, it is one of the oldest public high schools west of the Mississippi River, and was the one of the first public high schools in the state of Texas. The campus is located near Downtown Austin along the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake). The school, originally known simply as Austin High School, was renamed in 1953 after Stephen F. Austin , locally revered as the "Father of Texas". It is one of thirteen high schools in the Austin Independent School District. Roughly 2,300 students attend the school in grades nine through twelve. The school's current building is its seventh, following four 19th-century and two 20th-century locations in other buildings. Austin High's official motto is "Mens Agitat Molem" () or, "Mind Over Matter". The official mascot is Mr. Maroo. History. Austin High School opened in September 1881, with classes held on the third floor of the West Austin School building at 11th Street and Rio Grande Street. Due to  population growth, instruction was held at the First Baptist Church, the temporary State Capitol, and the Smith Opera House. The first dedicated Austin High School campus, located at 9th and Trinity Streets, opened in 1900. In 1925, Austin High School moved to 1212 Rio Grande Street, the former building of John T. Allan Junior High School ( 1916), which had relocated to 9th at Trinity. Allan would relocate to East Austin in 1957, later convert to an elementary school, and close in 2013. In 1956, the first seven African-American students began attending Austin High School as part of desegregation; a  total of 13 black students attended white high schools in AISD at that time. In 1975, Austin High School moved to its current building, designed by Jay W. Barnes II. The first classes at the Cesar Chavez campus commenced on August 25, 1975. The Mr. Maroo mascot was officially adopted by the student council in the 1965–66 school year. Campus. The current campus is bounded by Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) to the south and a controlled-access portion of Cesar Chavez Street to the north. Because of the school's relative isolation and the campus's relative newness , Amy Wells, author of "Both Sides Now: The Story of School Desegregation’s Graduates", wrote that the school "has a somewhat suburban feel". Academics. As of the late 1970s the school was considered to be the best in its area, according to Wells. It was known for having a university preparatory curriculum. Austin High was called a National Blue Ribbon School in 1982–83. Neighborhoods served. Downtown Austin, portions of Oak Hill, and the family apartment complexes of the University of Texas at Austin are zoned to Austin High School. Other Austin High neighborhoods include Zilker, Westcreek, Barton Hills, Travis Country , and Tarrytown. Austin High School historically had a reputation as an elite school as it was associated with wealthy neighborhoods in the western part of Austin. Student body. As of November 2020, Austin High School is 54% non-Hispanic White, 35.3% Hispanic, 3.7% Black, and 2.3% Asian. The school is 23.5% economically disadvantaged and 7.2% of students are English Language Learners. In 2000 the school was 54% non-Hispanic White, 37% Hispanic and Latino, 8% black, and 2% Asian, reflecting the overall demographics of Austin. As of 1980 most of the White students originated from west Austin, including Tarrytown. There  were also middle class and poor students. Some black students originated from Clarksville, an area housing servants' quarters that, until school desegregation, was served by segregated black schools. By 1980, court-ordered desegregation added a heavily Hispanic and Latino section of South Austin, and a black section of northeast Austin to the student population. As of the late 1970s the school was 66% White, 19% Hispanic, and 15% African-American, making it one of the more racially balanced AISD schools; at the time there was less Hispanic representation and more White representation than the district average. In 1980 the federal  court system forced AISD to begin desegregation busing. Athletics. Austin High School offers many different athletic programs for students: football, basketball, tennis, golf, mountain biking, swimming, baseball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, cross country, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, and cheerleading. The Austin High football team won the 1942 state championship.