History of Episcopal High School

The Episcopal High School story is a remarkable one.  Founded in 1983 by a group of Houston business and Episcopal Church leaders, the School opened its doors in the fall of 1984 to 150 students in grades nine and ten.  Recognizing the need for another Houston high school, the founders, led by The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez, established the School as an institution of the Diocese. Extensive marketing was done via newspapers, television, and educational publications to introduce the School to Houston.  The Rev. Warren R. (Jess) Borg was the founding Head of School serving until 1995.  Edward C. (Ned) Becker served as Head of School from 1995-2007.  C. Edward (Ned) Smith, the third Head of School, was appointed in July 2007.  Now in its 25th year, the School offers a high-quality college-preparatory curriculum to 650 students in grades nine through twelve; daily Chapel is required. 

Founding Episcopal High School required tremendous resources.  A complete campus, with buildings in need of extensive repair, was purchased in 1983 from Houston developer Wayne Duddlesten.  Mr. Duddlesten purchased the 34-acre site from the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.  Formerly a convent and high school, the property had been vacant for several years before Mr. Duddlesten purchased it.  After fifteen years of rigorous fundraising led by the dynamic and dedicated Episcopal High School Board of Trustees, the campus debt was retired and a $32 million campaign for new buildings and endowment was begun.  In 2001, the “Mission 2000” campaign was completed, resulting in construction of the Margarett and Herman Brown Learning Resource Center, the Crum Field House, the Candace U. Simmons Track and Field Complex, and the Lynda Knapp Underwood Student Center.  In 2005, the School launched a campaign to grow its small endowment into a fund that will have a significant impact on the operating budget and financial aid program. In 2007, the Board of Trustees approved a comprehensive campus master plan to build a new academic/science building, additional field house, parking structure, and a performing arts center. The plan also calls for extensive renovation of the Underwood Student Center and the Benitez Chapel. The $50 million “25th Anniversary Campaign” for buildings and endowment began in March 2008.

Founding Board of Trustees

The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez, Chair
Isaac Arnold, Jr. The Very Rev. Pittman McGehee
John S. Bonner III William J. Miller
W. Jack Bowen Walter M. Mischer, Jr.
John B. Connally III Claudia Reifel Moursund
James A. Elkins, Jr. Laurence B. Neuhaus
William S. Farish III Leonard Rauch
The Rev. Laurens A. Hall Joel I. Shannon
Don R. Holloway Sidney V. Smith
Howard W. Horne Jack T. Trotter
Paul N. Howell Lynda Knapp Underwood
Allan C. King The Rev. Jeffrey H. Walker
Frederick R. McCord Isabel Brown Wilson