The school was built on two lots at Harvard and 8th, and its name derived from its location, although later the word Street was dropped from its official title.

Before the building could be erected, it was necessary to secure the enrollment of at least thirty pupils. Interested mothers accomplished this feat, and a one-room building followed fast.  There were fifty desks and thirty pupils in the first five grades, with Miss Thielan as teacher of all classes. 

Besides the Misses Thielen, a number of early teachers served at Harvard through the years and should be mentioned in a history of the school:  Misses Florence Keene, Vera Harris (before Miss Harris transferred to the High School), Miss Nanno Maynard and Marie W. Finney.  Later, W.H. Elrod served as principal, after the school had grown into an impressive center of learning.  Mr. Elrod’s term at Harvard expired with the amalgamation of the Heights into the Houston Public School system.

In 1910, the Mother Club of Harvard School was organized.  Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Limbocker (who owned and edited the Suburbanite) sponsored an all-day picnic on their spacious lawn, across from the old Heights Natatorium, to raise funds for the club’s work.  Mrs. Limbocker’s neice, Mrs. D.D. Smeaton, was the first president of the Mothers club.  Other outstanding members were: Mesdames H.C. Colley, P.M. Granberry, L.E. Van Valkenburgh, and C.C. Young.