Named in honor of Andrew J. Zilker

Mr. Zilker first arrived in Austin with only a few pennies in his pocket. He somehow managed to give a total of $300,000 to the Austin Public Schools by 1932. He expressed in a letter to the Austin School Board his reason for helping children: “I want the boys and girls of the city of Austin to have the same opportunities as the boys and girls from other cities and to do this you must provide good schools for them.”

Zilker Elementary School first opened its doors in January of 1950. The principal, Mr. Hollis Sanders, met the first students at Becker Elementary School and walked through the meadows and a goat pasture to Zilker. The playground and surrounding hills were covered in wildflowers, including the red and yellow Indian blanket. The children quickly chose this blazing bright bloom to be the school flower.

With the great partnership among our students, parents and guardians, faculty and staff members, and administration, many more fantastic years lie ahead!

Interesting Facts from the School in 1950

• Number of students – 270
• Number of teachers – 11
• Number of families – 154
• Zilker was the first elementary school built in Austin after World War II.
• The total cost to build Zilker Elementary was $312,000.
• The library began in 1950 with 600 volumes for 270 students.