Check out 2 education stories in Southwest Austin, Dripping Springs

New educational facilities are in store for families in the Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs areas. Read about some of the latest updates for Dripping Springs ISD and Austin Waldorf School. 1. Dripping Springs ISD official name new high school Driftwood Springs Dripping Springs ISD’s second high school will be named Driftwood Springs High School following a 6-1 vote at a May 18 meeting. “We want to get it right,” Board President Dr. Stefani Reinold said at the meeting. “We’re very passionate ... We are also managing a lot of people’s opinions.” The overview DSISD officials, employees, students and community members have been discussing the naming and branding of the new high school since February, when the district sent out a community survey. A 64-person High School No. 2 Naming & Branding Committee met four times over the past few months to discuss options for the school’s name, colors and mascot. Some context All of the existing DSISD schools are named after a spring within the district’s boundaries. While several board members, including Tricia Quintero and Reinold, said they assumed the inclusion of “springs” in a school name was codified in the district’s bylaws, that is not the case. However, board Vice President Mary Jane Hetrick said it was a district tradition and she “felt strongly” it should be upheld. What’s next? The Driftwood Springs High School mascot and colors will come back for further discussion at a later meeting. Read the full story here. 2. Austin Waldorf School unveils new facility The Austin Waldorf School is expanding campus facilities for the first time in more than 20 years. The new building holds an art classroom and a science and technology classroom, as well as new bathrooms. The big picture The Austin Waldorf School celebrated the new classrooms with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 22. The new building is the first permanent structure added since 2002. “A building like this is much more than physical space,” Head of School Michelle Purghart said. “It is about creating an environment where children can grow and learn with curiosity, confidence, and joy.” Find out more. By Sienna Wight Sienna is an Education Reporter covering Dripping Springs, San Marcos and Hays County ISDs. She joined Community Impact in September 2025 after serving as the Austin metro intern. Originally from Houston, Sienna moved to Austin in 2020 to study Writing and Rhetoric at St. Edward’s University. When she’s not writing, she is reading, cooking or hiking with her dog. Send tips to swight@communityimpact.com.