History of Govalle High School in Austin, Texas explored.

Govalle High School is one of the forgotten high schools in Austin, Texas that has been forgotten. Not so much history about this school is known. Govalle High School was a high school operated by Govalle Common School District from 1922 to 1947.  

Govalle High School first opened in 1922. High school grades 7 through 9 were educated and taught at Govalle High School. Initially high school stopped at grade 9. Govalle High School was located on the same campus as Govalle Elementary School. Part of the school was located at 3602 Govalle Avenue.

Govalle High School had employed a vocational teacher. This was not uncommon for rural schools and urban schools during this time either. The school was run on an 8 month schedule as this was common for rural schools and urban schools in the South. “Govalle independent schools will probably run eight months since each has a vocational teacher whose salary is partially paid by the federal government.” (Ref: Austin American, Page 3, Sunday, August 22, 1926)

Govalle High School became an accredited high school by the 1925-1926 school year as the Govalle School District had 9 grades enrolled by then. Grade 11 was added later.

Austin Statesman reported that Govalle School was named an elementary-high school in 1927 with a high school called Govalle High School. However classes stopped after 9th grade. So Govalle School became known as Govalle Elementary-High School which was a 1-9 school and not your typical 1-11 school or 1-10 school. (Ref: Austin Statesman, Page 10, Wednesday, August 3, 1927)

 “The Govalle School was named an elementary-high school, to teach only through the ninth grade. The annual trustees' meeting was set for Oct 17 by the board, composed of Mrs. Felter, secretary; A. J. Zilker, chairman; T. F. Blackwell of Manchaca B. W. Giles, Judge William Pfennig and G. C. Bradshaw.”

Austin ISD began overseeing Govalle School and the school district in the mid-1940s. Austin ISD taking in students from Govalle Elementary School and Govalle High School. The led to a decrease in attendance at Govalle High School.

Govalle High School had undergone a series of landscape renovations in December 1946. The playground and soccer field were repaved. New grass was brought in. New dirt was brought in from Armadillo Clay.

Govalle School District dropped its high school grades from Govalle School in 1949 due to new high schools opening around Austin and lack of enrollment. Govalle High School was discontinued in 1949 leaving its middle school students and high school students to continue their education at Austin ISD schools. 1949 is the year when Govalle School District would have Govalle High School demolished.

Govalle High School was located at 3601 Govalle Avenue, Austin, Texas, US 78702.