Trinity Episcopal School began as the dream of longtime Austin educator Jane Hill and a small group of parents.  They were looking for a rigorous and innovative Episcopal academic program offered in a diverse and highly nurturing environment.



This small group of parents became the Founding Board, approached the Episcopal Diocese of Texas for permission to move ahead, and ultimately convinced Mrs. Hill to become the Founding Head of a new school to be named Trinity Episcopal School. The first order of business was the formation of a Mission Statement and a set of Core Values, philosophies that would guide the board and staff’s decisions from the blueprint stage to reality and beyond on a daily basis.

 

The founding group originally committed to an August 2000 start date, but this timetable was abandoned when an historic house on Nueces Street in the west campus area of the University of Texas was donated to the school and 13 families insisted that Trinity begin that fall. The fledgling staff officed out of their cars that summer!



In August 1999 Trinity Episcopal School opened as a “real” school with 13 pioneer first graders in a converted fraternity house quickly dubbed “The Blue House.”  All that first school year, families and interested friends toured the Blue House, were drawn to the academic and nurturing atmosphere, and registered their children.  In all, 103 students filled spots for kindergarten through third grade for the second school year.  Fundraising for a permanent site was successful beyond our dreams and plans for a campus in Westlake Hills were set in motion.



Our second year opened with a “camping out” adventure in borrowed space at Riverbend Church while the initial construction phase of the Westlake Hills campus was completed. Our six classes were undaunted.  We held chapel and other schoolwide gatherings outdoors.  Staff offices were in a trailer on site. We moved into our first academic building – Blue House Hall - in the weeks before Christmas 2000.

 

In 2001 we built Spirit Field and Spirit Athletic Pavilion.  August 2002 we opened school with close to 200 students in grades kindergarten through fifth. Trinity’s Board of Trustees voted in Spring 2002 to establish a middle school with 6th grade opening in the 2003-2004 academic year. Construction began immediately on a second academic building and Unity Hall was dedicated in October, 2003.  Still growing by leaps and bounds, we needed a “living room” where the entire community could gather to celebrate and worship.  The Trinity Center for Arts & Athletics was dedicated in 2004 and was the site of our first Commencement Service as we proudly graduated Trinity’s Class of 2006.

 

Trinity today is a K-8 school with 394 students. Our school has flourished quickly, but with a solid foundation and a deep commitment to the mission and core values that guide us each day. We have been blessed at every turn.