School History

Our History

Cornelius Elementary School has proudly served the Houston community since 1960. Named in honor of John Paul Cornelius, a respected former principal of Hartman Middle School who passed away in 1957, our school was established to continue his legacy of dedication to education and student success.

The roots of Cornelius Elementary reach back even further. The original school on this site was a three-room schoolhouse built in 1877. As the community grew, a new building was constructed in 1908 on land purchased from Thomas Talbot. This updated facility included four classrooms, cloakrooms, an office, and a basement—reflecting the community’s continued investment in education.

In 1960, J.P. Cornelius Elementary officially opened its doors, becoming part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Since then, the school has remained committed to providing a strong academic foundation and a supportive learning environment for every student.

Today, Cornelius Elementary is located at 7475 Westover Street in Houston and proudly serves students in grades PK–5. Our long-standing tradition of excellence continues as we prepare the next generation of learners for success.