An air of excitement and anticipation was palpable at the Anne Frank Inspire Academy (AFIA) Bandera Road campus earlier this month. On the morning of August 7, 2025, school leadership, students, and community partners gathered to officially break ground on a major new building addition, marking a significant milestone in the school’s journey.
The ceremony celebrated the start of construction on a 9,000-square-foot facility designed to enhance AFIA’s unique learning environment. This expansion is a direct response to growing community demand for the tuition-free K-12 public charter school’s innovative, inquiry-driven approach to education. The new building will feature versatile multipurpose common areas, state-of-the-art creation labs, modern learning spaces, and new administrative offices.
Superintendent Justin Johnston, who was in attendance along with campus leadership, spoke about the vision behind the project.
“We are excited to be able to continue to grow and serve more students at the AFIA Bandera campus,” said Johnston. “We have been planning and designing for this expansion over the past two years and cannot wait for the building to be completed. This addition will help us not only serve more families at the elementary but support our students better through the years as we ensure they belong, find joy, and be great.”
The new facility is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a testament to the school’s core mission to increase the capacity for learning by inspiring every student to belong, find joy, and be great.
Johnston also emphasized the vital role the community has played in making this growth possible. “As a public charter school, AFIA relies solely on state funding based on daily student attendance, receiving no additional local funds,” he explained. “So it’s important for our community to know their importance to the growth of AFIA. Without you spreading the word about your positive experiences, we would not be able to take such a step. We want to thank you for sharing your stories.”
With construction officially underway, AFIA is already looking toward the future. For families inspired by this growth and interested in joining the AFIA community, the admissions lottery period for a seat in the expanded campus will open on November 1, 2025.
As the project moves forward, the new building stands as a symbol of AFIA’s unwavering commitment to its students and its bright future of serving even more San Antonio families.
