Borel Middle School History

Borel opened on April 11, 1929, as an elementary school with 150 students and 4 teachers.  The school was named in honor of Antoine Borel, a San Mateo community leader.

In 1939, Borel became the first intermediate school (grades 7 and 8) in San Mateo.  The following are is a list of  principals since 1929: Ellen Gassenberg (1929-1938); Winifred Burke (1938-1939); Daniel Cooper (1939-1942); Warren Natwick (1942-1945); John Hiler (1945-1963); Gene Hall (1964-1965); Dr. William Kramer (1965-1976); David Schooley (1976-1981); Dr. Susan Hearn (1981-1985); Paul Grippa (1985-1986); Clathel Zach (1986-2006); John Cosmos (2006-2013); Connie Cirimeli (2013- 2015); Kenyetta Cook (2015 - 2021); Jessica Notte (2021 - present).

The original main building was completed in 1929.  The Home Arts building and the gymnasium were added in the 1940’s and four classroom wings were added in the 1950’s.  The main building was opened in September 1969.

During the 1991-93 school years, our present lunch court, kitchen facilities and two handicapped bathrooms were built with monies from the Measure C bond.  New turf lawn and a blacktop were installed in the summer of 1993.  

Borel contains regular classrooms, a complete library/information center as well as facilities for music, art, science labs, computers and other technologies.  The Home Arts Building, the oldest building on our campus, was remodeled in 1999.  The Home Arts Building was transformed to house our physical education locker rooms, weight room, physical education offices and equipment storage space. After the completion of our new gym in 2021, the Home Arts Building now houses one of our music rooms. 

With the use of California State Modernization funds and local school bond monies, Borel underwent modernization from June 1999 until September 2000.  New heating, ventilation and air conditioning were installed.  Wiring was brought up to date to accommodate computers, provide Internet access and cable TV school wide.  Improvements included seismic upgrades, handicapped access, Internet access, plumbing, paving and painting as well as a new gym floor, stage and ceiling lights.  Parent volunteers landscaped the front of the school.

Our students have distinguished themselves in the areas of scholarship and citizenship.  The United States Department of Education selected Borel Middle School as one of 202 schools in the nation to be honored in the 1983/84 Secondary School Recognition Program.  During the 1995-96 school year, the State of California recognized Borel as a California Distinguished School. In 2007, Borel was the recipient of a United States Department of Education Federal Magnet Grant and implemented its magnet program as a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Middle Years Program. On March 16, 2011, Borel was notified by IB America of its official authorization as an IB World School. After almost a decade of being a IB school, the community decided to move in a different direction for our students in order to open up more opportunities for students to participate in various electives. IB elements of Community Service and a yearly theme are still part of Borel culture.

In 2021, Borel opened 6 new classrooms and a second gym on campus. In 2022 Borel opened a Wellness Center and in 2023 a Peace Room was added. Borel, along with our district partners, are committed to Student Wellness as students continue to strive towards excellence in a positive and safe environment.

The majority of students attending Borel come from the following elementary schools: Baywood, Highlands, Park and Sunnybrae.  We receive students from nearly all other elementary schools in our district as well. The majority of our eighth graders will attend high school at Aragon, San Mateo and Hillsdale High Schools.  Our mascot is the Bobcat, and our colors are blue and white.

With the support of staff, students, parents, and the community, Borel continues to strive towards excellence.