“Same city, same district, same goals, different schools”

Feb 15

Feb 15 “Same city, same district, same goals, different schools”

Blackshear Elementary School Fine Arts Academy and Lee Elementary School are two historic elementary schools in Austin Independent School District. According to the Austin American-Statesman, city fathers commissioned a 1928 city plan that included plans for a “Negro district” in East Austin, a document that spawned the city’s first zoning map in 1931 and codified segregation east and west in Austin. Blackshear was originally founded in 1891 as a segregated school to serve African Americans in East Austin and underwent renovations in the 1930s. Lee Elementary was built in 1939 and is located about three blocks north of the University of Texas. Blackshear is located right across the street from Huston-Tillotson University, a historically black college and university (HBCU). Both schools are located in neighborhoods where the homes reflect the years they were built. From observing the years these schools were established, the racial and political climate and the location the schools resided in, the demographics of the students reflected them. Austin ISD reports there are 26.3% of African American students, 47.8% Hispanic students, and 18.2% of white students at Blackshear. The reports also include that Lee Elementary has 6.2% of African American students, 24.0% of Hispanic students, and 58.4% of white students who are in attendance.

*Blackshear Elementary School is a historic elementary school in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of* *austinisd.org*.

Blackshear is a National Blue Ribbon school. Blackshear’s physical education teacher has been at the school for 25 years. Blackshear prides themselves on community partnerships to execute their extracurricular programs to give their students a “well-rounded education.” Some community partners are H-E-B, KVUE, Ballet Afrique, and IBC bank. Blackshear programs include enrichment classes involving yoga, dance, gardening, which occurs every Friday. The Gifted and Talented program and afterschool programs include the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and Creative Action. Majority of Blackshear’s extracurricular programs occurs throughout the school day instead of after school. Lee is also a National Blue Ribbon school. Lee has three kindergarten teachers who have been at the school for 30 years. Some of the programs that Lee offers are chess club, Noche Latina, Girls on the Run, and Smudge Studios. Lee is one of the 6 AISD schools that offers an in-school child care program.

*Lee Elementary School is a historic elementary school in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of* *austinisd.org*.

Both schools buildings are old, but they did have renovations and add-ons to keep the school up to date. Upon entering the schools, you are required to ring a button to be granted access inside the school. I was very pleased to do so because the majority of public institutions are public. I was also pleased to see the classroom doors locked during the school hours to ensure more security. Rick Garner, principal of Blackshear, stated that Blackshear was economically disadvantaged over 90%, but with the help of gentrification, they are at 65.1%. John Hewlett, principal of Lee, stated their PTA is very supportive and they cover the things the district doesn’t fund. I personally admired walking the halls of Blackshear’s campus because of the different inspirational quotes that will be very encouraging for a young student. I really admired being in Lee’s kindergarten wing which was named after Lee’s first black teacher, Bettie Mann. It was very obvious both schools put a huge emphasis on cultural diversity regardless of the demographics of the schools.