Comal ISD has yet to release any further details about the March 30 shooting at Bulverde’s Hill Country College Preparatory High School (HCCPHS) that left a student dead and a teacher hospitalized.
The only information publicly available is that a 15-year-old teenager upset about his grades allegedly brought a .357 revolver to school, entered a second-story classroom around 8:30 a.m., shot and critically wounded a teacher, then killed himself using the same gun.
The school’s armed student resource officer was not on campus at the time of the shooting.
The teacher remains hospitalized.
The student lived with his grandparents. Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds declined to speculate about the relationship between the student and teacher.
On March 31, Comal ISD Supt. John Chapman issued a video statement about the shooting. He asked the public to wear blue, the school color, cited scripture, and promised students will receive counseling.
The community will “heal together,” he said.
In a separate statement, Comal ISD Chief Communications Director Christina Eckert said HCCPHS would close through the Easter holiday and referred anyone who wanted to learn more about the district’s safety and security policies to the district’s website.
But parents and students are beginning to share their stories about what happened.
MyCanyonLake.com submitted a list of questions Wednesday to those with direct knowledge of the shooting and agreed not to use their names. There are only around 250 students at the elite prep school.
One parent who agreed to speak off the record said the public should take a closer look at the “bigger issues” at the district’s “school of choice.”
Principal Julie Wiley in 2020 described HCCPHS as offering a “smaller-school setting, collaborative learning environment, STEM and advanced academics.”
In 2025, HCCPHS was the only Comal ISD high school to receive all seven Texas Education Agency (TEA) distinctions for academic achievement in reading/language arts; academic achievement in mathematics; academic achievement in science; academic achievement in social studies; top 25%: academic growth; top 25%: closing the gaps; and post-secondary readiness.
These distinctions may have come at a cost.
“There is a much deeper story that needs to be talked about,” the parent said in an email to MyCanyonLake.com.
“We cannot ignore the environment that was being created behind the scenes. Parents had already been raising concerns long before this tragedy. Concerns about the pressure students were under, the way struggling students were treated, and the overall tone set by leadership (principal).
“There have been repeated reports of a toxic and demoralizing approach toward students who were academically struggling, conversations that should have supported and guided them, instead left them feeling defeated.
“Parents have also voiced concerns about failures to properly follow IEP and 504 (special education) plans, and complaints were reportedly filed through official channels.
“This is not just about one heartbreaking event. It’s about whether the learning environment was truly safe, supportive, and responsive to student needs. It’s about whether concerns raised by families were taken seriously or dismissed.
“If we really want accountability and change, we have to be willing to look at the full picture, including leadership, school culture, and how students especially those struggling. Our students deserve an environment that challenges them academically and supports them emotionally.
“And I know it will be dead in the water by the end of May.”
And you should do some proper reporting and get more sides to a story before you print it. My son goes there and the environment is not toxic. He’s got a 504 and they have been extremely cooperative and abiding. They offered tutoring before school after school and during school. It is made clear before your student ever enrolls that these are college level courses not just accelerated AP or honors. It is made clear that if your student fails or cannot keep up that they will have to return to their regular high school. This school is not for every student. The parents have to truly evaluate their child on whether or not this is the right environment for them. That is why the school is so small. My fear is that there are parents who stick their kids in this school just because it will save them a couple years of college expenses. But their children may not be up to this kind of task. Our son is thriving and has experienced some difficulties. But his teachers and the staff have all been extremely supportive and accommodating. He goes early multiple days a week for tutoring and assistance when needed. Some of these parents being interviewed may just be angry because it may not have been the right place for their kid after all.
I understand your child is A-ok, but it’s not about just your child. I agree all avenues need to be explored, all children need to be addressed, but not by staff or by leadership at the school. A neutral party with a psychology degree, would be ideal.
Exactly and well said!
My heart breaks for the community. The concerns posted in this story are prevalent throughout the state and deserve attention. They are not isolated to elite schools like this, but hit all schools in their own way. They all directly tie back to the high-stakes accountability policies our state has implemented. Student and teacher performance, funding, school closures are all symptoms of this cancer forced on schools by those currently in power. People leave education because they don’t want to be part of this system they believe creates more harm than good. Public schools gave me my shot and I still believe in their promise, but things must change.
I want to know what is the reason the teacher’s name is not being released? Why is everything so private? There has to be more than just ow grades and not passing but no one’s willing to talk. What is the district hiding? Eventually come with the truth will come out.
I’m in agreement with the parents and their concerns about struggling students some teachers and administration don’t care about these students and it’s tragic what happened to the teacher and praying for her full recovery.