About Wonderland School
Mrs. Shirley Fife Founder
July10,1935 - March 31, 2022
Her Story
"The day I was born, God told me I was going to teach school with children, and I have never known anything else. That was God’s plan for me. Why would you do anything else if that was God’s plan for you? If you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life." -Shirley Fife
Shirley, graduated from San Marcos High School in 1953, where she went on to study at Southwest Texas State University, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Education.
A love for teaching was found at Pana Maria, where she taught general education and music. Afterwards, she went on to teach migrant 4th and 5th grade students at Karnes City for one year. Shirley then moved on to Easthaven Baptist in Pasadena , Texas where she taught first grade for both years.
After Easthaven, God’s plan set forth to make her life what it has been for the last 53 years.
Finding a facility on the base of Camp Gary, in San Marcos, Texas Shirley began teaching students and holding classes. After being informed they could not have a private entity on base, Shirley and her husband Jimmy Fife Sr, moved the school to their home. At the time, it consisted of only 12 students, where they would meet in their dining room. Thus, the start of Wonderland School.
After the first year, Wonderland began its first expansion. "Granddad" owned property and an opportune moment was seen, and able to use the bottom half of a two-story house for one year. During that time we built a four-room schoolhouse. The school was moved from our dining room into the school house.
Eventually, as the reputation of the school grew, so did the student population, once again needing more space. Jimmy and Shirley once again moved the school again to Country Estates, with what has become what we all know now as Wonderland School.
"Back then the building was a quarter of the size the current school is now. We have built so much upon it since then, and Jim has added so much since as well, including a gym and a library. We, as well as all our students, are so lucky to call this place home." - Shirley Fife.
Wonderland School
Now Enrolling for 2025-2026 School year
Email us to schedule a tour today!
(512) 392 -9404