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General Information
Forty-one Years of Excellence
Briargrove Elementary School celebrated its 40th year
during the school year 98-99. Briargrove accepted its first students in January, 1958, on
the south side of the Grady Elementary School campus at 5300 San Felipe. In anticipation
of moving to a new building, early Briargrove students enjoyed making drawings for the
mosaic mural that would be in the main hallway. The art department selected the drawings
that best depicted the children’s activities and had them transferred to plywood. The
students then came by bus to their very own “brand new school” and glued on the
mosaic tiles. This project gave everyone a feeling of togetherness and belonging when they
moved into the completed building at 6145 San Felipe in September, 1958. The enrollment
rose to more than 1000 students before Emerson and Walnut Bend Schools were opened. The
current enrollment is over 800 students.
Briargrove Elementary quickly became more than just a school in the neighborhood. It
became a vital part of the community. Parents and patrons are intensively involved in the
school activities and the PTO is strategically involved with the faculty and students on
numerous projects to enhance the academic excellence of the school. They also maintain the
Briargrove playground as a community park for surrounding neighbors. During the 1998-1999
school year approximately 350 parents served in various capacities as volunteers.
Briargrove Elementary has had five principals since its opening in 1958. Miss Mattie Neel
served the school in this position from 1958 until her retirement in 1971. She was
followed by Mrs. Evelyn Dardnne, former HISD director from August, 1971, until she retired
in 1972. Miss Aldean Harper, formerly a third grade teacher on the Grady faculty, was the
third principal from 1972 through 1984. Mrs. Mary Lee Cook served as the Briargrove
principal from 1984 until her retirement in 1996. She was previously a guidance and human
relations specialist, a counselor, and an English teacher for HISD. Ms. Bonnie Hughes came
to Briargrove in the fall of 1996. Prior to her assignment here, Ms. Hughes was principal
at Walnut Bend Elementary. Mrs. Ann Sledge came to Briargrove this year after seven years
as principal at HISD’s Ed White Elementary.
Since 1958, the faculty and staff of Briargrove have had
the privilege and pleasure of interacting with and teaching many wonderful children.
Wherever they are and whatever they are doing, it is the hope that the education they
received at Briargrove has contributed positively to their success in life.
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