Boerne Independent School District, in Boerne, Texas, has been a top performing district for years. In the fall of 2008 they became a cutting edge district when they open their new Eco-Friendly High School, Samuel V. Champion High School.

Champion High School’s eco-friendly design incorporated many green elements. Recycled limestone is used for the building’s base, trees removed from the site were turned to mulch for the landscaping, Energy Star equipment is used for all mechanical systems, and dark-sky lighting is used for athletic and exterior illumination.

The school also boasts a rainwater harvesting system which is the first of its kind in Texas. The system will collect over 1 million gallons of surface runoff, roof runoff and condensation from air-conditioning systems. They system will store over 250,000 gallons of water.

The environmentally friendly school as well as renovations to Boerne High School were a result of a voter-approved bond issue in 2004. The District worked to be cost efficient with bond funds while building the new, state of the art building and renovating the old high school Grade re-structuring was a result of this and ninth-graders will now attend the high school instead of the middle school

Other improvements to district schools will be made as soon as funds become available. Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary, Fabra Elementary and Curington Elementary schools will have major renovations. Boerne Middle School North and Boerne High School will get new gymnasiums. Also on the drawing board is a new elementary school and up-graded security for all schools.

As a result of Boerne’s population growth in recent years, fall of 2009 will mark the first time the district has operated two high schools. The Boerne Independent School District’s planning will help it remain one of the best districts in the area—a major reason more families are moving to Boerne.