(JEFFERSON/SILVA HIGH SCHOOL – Aug. 5, 2022) – Current and former Silver Foxes united with El Paso ISD officials Friday morning to celebrate the official opening of the new state-of-the-art Jefferson/Silva High School.
The $36.6 million modernized facility blends old with new traditions as it replaces the 100-year-old building that originally housed Burleson Elementary School and ultimately became Jefferson High School in 1949.
“At El Paso ISD, we believe in honoring our longtime traditions while incorporating new learning spaces that allow our students to stay inspired and thrive,” said Superintendent Diana Sayavedra. “‘Viva La Jeff!’ is not just a mantra, but something that is taken to heart in our community.”
The 2016 Bond project features a three-story classroom building, new weight room and renovations to the auxiliary gym. The project includes a new softball field and parking areas that are currently in the works. Also included in the Bond project is the Jefferson/Silva baseball field at Washington Park, a partnership between EPISD and the City of El Paso. The field was officially dedicated in the spring.
“The new building is awesome. It brings new opportunity not just for us students but for our teachers,” said co-StuCo president Ruben Martinez, a Silva Magnet senior. “We will continue to bring all traditions we have, and we will integrate them into the new building, and we bring them together within ourselves.”
Martinez’ co-StuCo president Jessie Chavez also enjoys the updated technology available in the classroom and the spacious cafeteria. He sees more opportunities for learning and succeeding at Jefferson/Silva.
“Not only is the magnet program here but there’s so many opportunities to succeed here,” he said. “The teachers will help you. We have great teachers, administration and great staff.”
After the ribbon-cutting, Jefferson/Silva students gave tours to EPISD officials, alumni and other dignitaries offering a peak into the new library, cafeteria and classrooms.
“I know this is a new building but don’t let go of the traditions,” County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said, a proud Jefferson grad. “It is a tradition to be a Fox and a tradition to carry out this idea of family values, this idea that we do things differently, and that we never do something to disrespect the fact that we are Silver Foxes.”
