Incarnate Word High School history

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at Brackenridge Villa (1898), their first motherhouse in San Antonio.

The school had its beginning as a co-ed grade school located at the corner of Crosby and Willow St In 1900, the Sisters moved to their new Motherhouse on grounds which they had purchased from Col.

Katie Dunn was the first graduate of Incarnate Word Academy, and was the only student in the class of 1913.

Katie remained the sole alumna until she was joined by the two graduates of the class of 1915.

In 1921, the Sisters purchased eight acres of land from the Lucas Estate, followed by an additional eight acres the following year.

In 1928, male students began attending high school at Corpus Christi College Academy (CCCA), which opened September 11, 1928 with the Benedictine Fathers from Subiaco, Arkansas.

As early as 1929, Incarnate Word College began accepting graduates of hospital training programs who wanted to become teachers.

Incarnate Word Academy opened on September 6, 1932.

In 1941, students began receiving training to teach Christian doctrine to children who could not afford a formal Catholic school education.

The first of the Academy’s classroom buildings separate from the convent was dedicated on August 5, 1949.

On September 12, 1950 the doors of the current Incarnate Word High School were opened.

In 1954, the Sisters opened Marian High School in Bellaire, Texas.

The Theater Building, shown here shortly after its completion in 1969, was originally known as Centennial Hall in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

It makes perfect sense that when CCCA closed in 1972, IWA would officially “adopt” all alumni of this historical Catholic institution.

Sister Lauren Beck, C.V.I. was named Incarnate Word Academy's first President in 2000.

In 2002, for the first time in its 121-year history, the University of the Incarnate Word would name one of its five schools in honor of a person.

In 2010, IWA began to offer a 4-year character and leadership development program called the Young Leaders Program (YLP). The program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop in-demand leadership skills built upon a foundation of strong personal character.

In 2012, the UIW Teacher Network was established to provide graduates with high-quality support as they transition into the teaching profession.

The University of the Incarnate Word received a commendation from the Texas Education Agency in 2015 for this innovative teacher induction program, which supports candidates after initial certification during their first three years of teaching, to improve teacher retention in the profession.

With the addition of the MakerSpace Lab in 2016, the Learning Commons is a place where Incarnate Word Academy students can learn and thrive in an environment more conducive to their future collegiate career.

Additionally, in the spring of 2017, IWA opened an 18,500 square foot academic building to provide additional space for classes, collaboration, student life and fine arts.