Originally the facilities of the Colorado Common School District Number 36 were at the intersection of
U.S. Highway 183 and
Texas State Highway 71. In 1952 the City of Austin annexed about one third of the district territory, including Montopolis and the property of the
Austin Country Club. Since the existing school buildings were located on that property, the district needed to find a new location for its schools. Popham Elementary School opened across from
Bergstrom Air Force Base; when Bergstrom was in operation, the district served the children living on the base. At the time the district taught grades one through eight. High school students attended the
Austin Independent School District. Baty Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Popham Elementary, and Del Valle High School moved. == Schools ==