District Information

Bandera ISD Today

Bandera ISD has grown to a district of over 2,300 students with more than 300 employees. We have moved from one school building in downtown Bandera that housed all of our students, to four campuses including two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. In addition to an administrative central office complex, the district also has a modern support facility which is the home to our transportation, maintenance, and food service departments.
Bandera ISD consists of over 400 square miles encompassing the eastern half of Bandera County which includes a number of rural communities including: Bandera, Pipe Creek, Lakehills and Tarpley.
Three of our schools are located in the Bandera area: Alkek Elementary School - 1798 Highway 173 South; Bandera Middle School - 1005 Cherry Street; and Bandera High School - 474 Old San Antonio Highway.
One campus is located in Pipe Creek: Hill Country Elementary - 6346 FM 1283

Where is Bandera ISD?

Bandera Independent School District is located in Bandera County, approximately 30 minutes northwest of San Antonio.

Curriculum and Extra-Curricular Activities

Bandera ISD schools offer a comprehensive, well-balanced standard curriculum as well as programs in vocational, bilingual, gifted and talented, special education, and at-risk categories. it is the District's philosophy that each child is entitled to the very best education possible, and every child is provided every opportunity to succeed academically. The teamwork among student-teacher-parent is the vital key to attaining this success.
The Middle School and High School provide a sports program geared to teaching the students the many values of athletics. Our athletic programs go beyond the basics of winning and losing. Participants in athletics are taught good sportsmanship, teamwork, goal-setting, and the value of good physical health and exercise. Participation in school athletics for both boys and girls depends on the student being academically eligible according to UIL standards. The following sports are offered in Bandera: cross country, football, volleyball, basketball, powerlifing, soccer, track & field, softball, baseball, golf, and tennis.
Bandera ISD students can involve themselves in numerous school sponsored activities such as agriculture, band, cheerleading, choir, dance, drama, student council, and more.

Teachers and Staff

Because of the diversity of the curriculum and the students enrolled in our schools, Bandera ISD's educators are highly trained and prepared to meet the rigors of accountability. Despite all of the changes in Texas public education, one thing has remained constant. Whether they serve our students as schoolteacher, principals, support staff, administrators, or school board members, Bandera ISD educators touch the lives of the students they serve with eyes that see the potential of every child, and hearts that embrace their every dream and aspiration.

District Map

BISD on YouTube

History of Bandera Schools

Although photos and documents record the existence of public schools in Bandera County during the late 1800’s, it was on April 1st in 1935 that the Board of Trustees of Bandera School District #1 met and organized themselves as an entity. J.F. Langford was named President and A. Meadows was named Secretary of that first historical board.

Some interesting items the School Board discussed during those early years included:

In 1935, the Board accepted a bid of $50 to wire the school building for lights, moving away from the need for kerosene in the classroom.
In 1938, the Board authorized the Superintendent to purchase the necessary equipment for the formation of the first Bandera drum and bugle corps.
Some other notable items in the early board minutes include: classroom textbooks being leased for twenty five cents per year, the Board authorizing a yearly budget of $15 to purchase books and supplies for the library.
In 1939, the Board could not agree on the purchase of the first adding machine for the district, and had to table the decision for the next meeting.
In looking at salaries during those formative years of the district secondary teachers were paid $120 per month and elementary teachers were paid $100 per month. The principal received a whopping $130 per month and the Superintendent an unheard of $155 per month.

Nostalgic Photos

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