Tempe Elementary - Information

Information • History • Fast Facts • Did You Know?

Information

The Tempe Elementary School District is located in the heart of the “Valley of the Sun.” It encompasses an area of approximately 36 square miles including not only Tempe but also parts of Phoenix and the Town of Guadalupe. Arizona State University, the fifth largest campus in the nation (with more than 50,000 students) is within the district’s boundaries providing professional and educational opportunities.

The 25 schools in the Tempe Elementary School District consist of 18 elementary schools grades kindergarten through five, a developmental special needs school, an Intervention Learning Program middle school, four middle schools grades six through eight and a K-8 traditional school, Ward Traditional Academy, newly opened fall 2005. The district’s middle school concept addresses the unique needs of early adolescent students. This middle school structure establishes a nurturing environment as students experience the elementary to high school transition.

The student population of Tempe Elementary School District No. 3 consists of diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic groups. Its proximity to ASU promotes our rich diversity. There are approximately 13,800 students in the district.

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History

In 1874, Tempe School District No. 3 became the third school district in Maricopa County. While earlier accounts refer to children attending a two-story school on Eighth Street in the vicinity of McAllister Avenue, the district came into official existence by June 1874.

This modern, two-story building was built to replace the two adobe schoolrooms in about 1892. It was thought that a six room school was too large but by the time it was built it was completely filled.

Judge John Alsap reported to Governor Safford that there were 47 children in District No. 3 compared to only 20 in Phoenix District No. 1 and 41 in Riverside District No. 2. By May 1875, Judge Alsap recorded a total of $188.94 in the account of Tempe School District No. 3.

Among the earliest Tempe teachers were Carrie Hancock, J.P. Cooner, Mrs.C.E. Rembest, Isabelle J. Dumphey, and a Miss Pendleton from Boston.

The list of teachers and their accomplishments has since grown throughout the years. While many children have passed through our classrooms and playgrounds for more than 100 years, we continue to focus our attention on the education of every child.

We hope you find the information on our district helpful and
interesting. Should you have questions, please contact our Community
Affairs and Marketing department at (480) 730-7195.

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Fast Facts

Number of Schools:
25

Grades Served:
Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight

Cities/Municipalities Served:
Tempe, Town of Guadalupe and portions of
South Phoenix

Enrollment:
(info. revised 8/22/08)

District:
12,806

Grade Totals:

Preschool:
75

Kdg.:
1,650

1st:
1,494

2nd:
1,539

3rd:
1,431

4th:
1,468

5th:
1,385

6th:
1,243

7th:
1,334

8th:
1,187

Special Ed.:
N/A

Total Number of District Employees:
1,815 (info. revised 8/06/08)

Teachers:
916 (classroom, specialized, librarians, etc.)

Administrative:
71

Specialists:
28 (speech therapists, etc.)

Psychologists:
18

Nurses:
21

Social Workers:
4

Classified:
758

Student Ethnicity Report:
(info. revised 5/25/06)

Hispanic:
47.38%

White:
28.51%

African American:
12.39%

Native American:
8.55%

Asian:
3.25%

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Did You Know?

In 1885, school was in session six days a week to make up for lost time
in the classroom due to sickness.

In 1883, TD3 had a total enrollment of 156 students.

In 1900, the census credited Tempe with a population of about 900 people.

In 1902 a volunteer fire department was organized by Carl Hayden, son of
Tempe's founder.