Stephen F. Austin High School, more commonly known as Austin High, is a public high school in Austin, Texas, United States, and part of the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Founded in 1881, it is one of the oldest public high schools west of the Mississippi River, and was the first public high school in the state of Texas.The campus is located near Downtown Austin along the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake). The school, originally known simply as Austin High School, was renamed in 1953 after Stephen F. Austin, locally revered as the "Father of Texas". It is one of eleven high schools in the Austin Independent School District.Roughly 2,500 students attend the school in grades nine through twelve. The school's current building is its third, following four 19th-century locations in other buildings.Austin High's official motto is Mens Agitat Molem (The Mind Moves the Masses) or, "Mind Over Matter". The official mascot is Mr. Maroo.HistoryAustin High School opened in September 1881, with classes held on the third floor of the West Austin School building at 11th Street and Rio Grande Street. Due to population growth, instruction was held at the First Baptist Church, the temporary State Capitol, and the Smith Opera House. The first Austin High School campus, located at 9th Street and Trinity Street, opened in 1900. In 1925, Austin High School moved to 1212 Rio Grande Street, the former building of John T. Allan Junior High School, which had relocated to 9th at Trinity.
