The west-side school has been part of San Antonio ISD for more than a century.
SAN ANTONIO — Brewer Academy, located on the west side of San Antonio, is grabbing the public’s attention after a fatal shooting that left a teenager dead Wednesday afternoon. Authorities continue to look for the seven juveniles believed to have attacked and killed him–all of whom, including 14-year-old Simon Julian Cuevas III, attended the nearby school.
According to SAISD, Brewer Academy is designed as a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DEAP) school which offers middle and high school-aged students another chance at graduating with a high school diploma.
For students to be placed in DAEP, the school board must determine that a student’s presence in a regular classroom “presents a danger of physical harm to the student or another individual” or that they have “engaged in serious and persistent misbehavior that violates SAISD Student Code of Conduct,” according to the district’s website.
“Our mission is to instill in students a positive attitude toward school that exemplifies honor, dignity and respect for self and others,” the campus’s website states. “Our service-learning class and counseling sessions provide students the opportunity to practice positive social/behavioral skills to ensure success in the classroom and their daily lives. These programs help students explore expanded career opportunities, develop self-esteem and teach social skills in an environment of healthy competition.”
Brewer Academy was renamed in June 2006 in honor of a Lanier High School graduate who became the first pediatrician at Robert B. Green Hospital. The facility has been part of San Antonio ISD since 1919, first as a site referred to as School #32 and later to house administrative offices
SAPD said none of the students involved in Wednesday’s attack have been identified other than they’re believed to be between 14 and 17 years old. Police also don’t yet know who pulled the trigger, but Police Chief William McManus said on a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “optimistic” the suspects will be found.
Police said they don’t know if the gun was ever on campus at Brewer Academy.
Therapy dogs and counselors were on campus Thursday to assist anyone in the school population who needed it.
A letter sent by Principal Gary Pollock to Brewer families and staff included signs to look out for that could indicate how a child is reacting to the loss of their schoolmate.
“Experiencing, witnessing, or even hearing about a traumatic incident may affect a child or adult in a variety of ways; therefore, it is very important that children be given ample opportunities to ask questions and to talk about their reactions,” Pollock wrote.
Anyone needing additional help, the principal added, can contact the following organizations:
- Children’s Bereavement Center at (210) 736-4847
- Ecumenical Center at (210) 616-0885
- Center for Health Care Services at (210) 261-1250