History of Laurel Heights School in San Antonio, Texas explored.

Laurel Heights School one of the many forgotten schools of San Antonio, Texas. Not too much history about this school is known because very little information regarding this school has been archived and preserved. This news article will examine and explore the history of Laurel Heights School.

Now Laurel Heights School is not the Laurel Heights Private School or the Laurel Heights Day School run by a Methodist church. Laurel Heights School was a public school operated by San Antonio ISD.


Laurel Heights School was established by San Antonio ISD in the affluent neighborhood of Tobin Hill sometime around 1893. The exact date is unknown. Laurel Heights School was an all-white school. J. H.  Kirkpatrick was superintendent of Laurel Heights School. Laurel Heights School operated as Public School No. 13 and Laurel Heights School Public School No. 13. Laurel Heights School was an elementary school.

Robert Julian Onderdonk is one of the famous teachers with a highly respectable reputation who taught at Laurel Heights School. Robert Julian Onderdonk was an art teacher at Laurel Heights School from 1900 to 1902. (Ref: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/onderdonk-julian)

Laurel Heights School was well known for its art department during the early 20th century thanks to Robert Julian Onderdonk, Laurel Heights Mothers' Club, and Mothers' Club of the Laurel Heights School. The Mothers' Club of the Laurel Heights School helped make the art department highly successful during the early 20th century. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/38698814/)

The San Antonio Daily Light reported that showers were installed at Laurel Heights School for a cost of $1,000 dollars in 1902. Trustee Chapa investigated the showers for inspection to ensure they were working and functioning properly. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-daily-light-jan-09-1902-p-4/)

“Trustee Chapa, appointed to investigate the putting of showers at the Laurel Heights school, reported that it would cost about $1,000. After some discussion, on motion of Trustee Goggan, the matter was referred back to him in for further investigation.”

A two-room addition was constructed on to Laurel Heights School in 1907. This two-room addition would serve as a two-room annex. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/38699850/)

From a careful study of the whole situation I suggest the following buildings and additions for the grades: "Two-room annex for No. 2 (Marshall street) school. A two-room addition to each of the following schools: No. 1 (Sam Houston) school, No. 4 (Mason street) school, No. 5 (Burnet) school, No. 8 (Pecos street) school, No. 9 (Bowie) school, No. 11 (Prospect Hill) school, No. 12 (Starr street) school, No. 13 (Laurel Heights) school. No. 15 (South Heights) school, No. 18 (Brooklyn Avenue) school, No. 17 (Harris) school, on Government Hill ; No. 18 (Herff) school, No. 19 (Briscoe) school, No. 21 (Kerr Hill) school, Grant school (colored), Brackenridge school (colored).


Public School No. 13 Public School No. 13 was later renamed to Travis School aka Travis Elementary School in 1908. Travis School was named after soldier William Barret Travis who died at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth491903/m2/1/high_res_d/Bexar-Co_St-Anthony-Catholic-School.pdf)

Travis School once operated as a combined middle-high school through much of the 20th century for the Tobin Hill neighborhood. At one time Travis School operated as a middle school. (Ref: https://www.saisd.net/upload/page/0533/Historic/Travis_historic.pdf)

Travis School would operate as an elementary school called Travis Elementary School in the late 80s. Travis Elementary School would operate for nearly 20 years from 1989 to 2008. Travis Elementary School would shut down in 2008 during the 2008-2009 school year to become Travis Early College High School. (Ref: https://www.saisd.net/page/dis-school-attendance-maps)

Today Laurel Heights School now functions as Travis Early College High School (Travis High School) and is still open.

Laurel Heights School is located at 1915 North Main Avenue, San Antonio, Texas, US 78212.