Blackshear Elementary Marks 135 Years as Oak Springs Students Will Move After AISD Consolidation

February 14, 2026

Blackshear Elementary celebrated 135 years in operation this week, a milestone school leaders and community members marked while planning for a significant change ahead. The anniversary highlighted the school’s long history in Austin as staff balance honoring the past with preparing for a new student population.

Last fall the Austin Independent School District approved a plan to consolidate multiple schools, a decision that included closing Oak Springs Elementary as a separate campus. Under the district plan, students who now attend Oak Springs will be assigned to Blackshear for the upcoming school year.

District officials set the consolidation after reviewing enrollment, facility use and budget priorities, and the changes will affect classroom assignments and daily operations at receiving campuses. Blackshear administrators are making space and adjusting staffing to absorb Oak Springs students while keeping current programs running.

Families at both schools are preparing for transitions in routines and transportation, and staff are coordinating meetings to share information and support students. School leaders say they will focus on easing the change so students can settle into classrooms and continue their learning without disruption.

Community groups and alumni who attended anniversary events used the occasion to remember the school’s history and to discuss how the consolidation might reshape neighborhood ties. Organizers emphasized that the celebration offered a chance to introduce incoming families to Blackshear’s traditions and facilities.

Teachers and support staff are reviewing class rosters, schedules and resource needs to accommodate a larger student body next year, and the district will finalize operational details in the weeks ahead. Parents should expect communications from both schools about registration, orientation and any updated transportation plans.

As the school year change approaches, Blackshear’s 135th anniversary serves as a reminder of the school’s place in Austin while signaling a new chapter that will bring together students from two campuses. District leaders and school staff say they will monitor the transition and work with families to maintain continuity in instruction and supports.