Today’s citizens, like the pioneers who preceded them, are determined to provide a good education for their children. Even before they built the first home, founders hired a teacher. And school began with the basics in a cottonwood shed.

By 2000, almost 72,000 students in 84 schools had taken their place. Achievement in the three R’s is still the foundation for success. But today’s young people have a broader and brighter outlook, with lessons ranging from social studies, science and the arts, to technology, foreign language, special education and cultural understanding.

Public support has always been the cornerstone of education in our town. Residents have strengthened Mesa Public Schools and enriched the lives of students and staff. They continue to provide guidance, financial support and volunteer help. Like Mesa pioneers, the people of today know the key to the schoolhouse door opens the way to a better life for future generations.

Organizational Pattern Top
Mesa Schools’ early structure called for eight years of elementary school and four years of high school.

In 1952, a system of six years elementary, three years in junior high, and three years in senior high began.

Early Elementary Schools Top
Mary Ursula (Zula) Pomeroy became Mesa’s first teacher in 1879. Classes met in a shed her father built at Sirrine and First Avenue. In 1880, Francelle Robson started teaching in her home at Robson Street and Second Avenue. Just before businessman George M. Noonan left town in 1881, he donated his building near Main and Macdonald for use as a school, and Charles I. Robson became Mesa’s teacher. Later that year, classes moved to a meeting house behind Zenos Cooperative on Main Street. Mesa’s first building specifically constructed as a school was erected in 1882 on the northwest corner of Center Street and Second Avenue. “The School” was made of adobe brick.

The growing population soon required a larger facility. The adobe building was torn down, and a brick structure was erected at the site in 1890. This building, the first known as South School, was later named Abraham Lincoln. In 1920, Lincoln was demolished, and a second Lincoln School was built. The second Lincoln was torn down in 1984 to enlarge Mesa Vo-Tech High School. The present Lincoln School, constructed in 1958, is at 930 S. Sirrine.

On April 14, 1899, the Free Press noted that bonds had been approved, and a two-story brick school building would soon be built on two lots at the northwest corner of Block 2 south of the Depot Park (later Rendezvous Park). Bonds were sold for $7,525, and work began. The eight-room building, constructed of red brick at 155 N. Center Street, was called north school. It was used until 1936, when it was replaced by Washington Irving School. In 1975, the city of Mesa bought Irving for use as a Parks and Recreation Activity Center.

Daniel Webster School, built in 1910 on Newell Street (East Broadway), was erected especially for Mexican-American students. Destroyed by fire in 1948, the school was replaced by Jackrabbit Stadium in 1949. As a tribute to Dr. Harvey L. Taylor, superintendent, the stadium was named Taylor Field. A new Webster opened at 236 S. Sirrine. In 1967, Webster became Mesa High’s social studies building. The school built at 202 N. Sycamore in 1959 now bears the name Webster.

Benjamin Franklin School was built at 256 E. Main St. in 1914. This building was demolished in 1975. The Webster School at 236 S. Sirrine was renamed Franklin in 1973. It became Mesa’s basic alternative elementary school in 1977.

Booker T. Washington School, built in 1920 at 509 N. Pima St., was a two-room brick structure, which originally served Black-American pupils. The city of Mesa bought Washington in 1975 and demolished the facility. In its place now stands the Booker T. Washington Activity Center. It’s part of the Mesa Parks, Recreation and Cultural Division. A new Washington School opened at 2260 W. Isabella in 1974.

Other Local Elementary Schools Top

In addition to schools within village limits, others were located in the surrounding area.
Alma School was built in 1896 just south of Main Street on Alma School Road. It served members of the Standage, Pew and Rogers families in Stringtown. The building was demolished in 1979. The district opened its new Materiel Distribution Center (warehouse) on that site in 1982. A new Alma School was built at 1313 W. Medina in 1978.

Nephi School, south of Main Street on Dobson Road, was erected in 1894 and was destroyed by fire on January 17, 1898.

Jordan School, built in 1913, was on Baseline, just west of Dobson Road. In 1979, a new Jordan School opened at 3320 N. Carriage Lane in Chandler.The original

Lehi School was built in 1879 at Lehi and Horne roads. Remodeled in 1913, it’s the oldest school building in Mesa. Student’s and teachers moved out, and the district’s Science and Social Studies Resource Center moved in, in 1976. In 1987, it became Mesa Historical Society’s Crismon Heritage and Farm Museum. A new Lehi School was built at 2225 N. Stapley Drive in 1978.

Two miles southeast of Lehi School was the Denmark School.* Highland School* was east of Mesa, north of University Drive near the Highland Canal. A new Highland School opened in 1978 at 3042 E. Adobe Road. Each of the schools operated as separate districts until the areas they served became part of Mesa Public Schools.

     *Dates for the Denmark and Highland schools are not available.

High Schools Top
The February 11, 1898 Free Press stated, “There is talk of establishing a high school to embrace Mesa, Alma, Nephi, Jordan, Lehi and Highland [elementary] School Districts.” The first high school classes began in September 1899 on the second floor of Old North Elementary School.

The Original Mesa High School------On January 4, 1908, the school district paid $75 for the east half of Block 20, at Second Avenue and Center Street. Construction of Mesa Union High began at once. With John D. Loper as the first principal, the school opened in 1909.

In 1911, on his way to the Roosevelt Dam dedication, former President Theodore Roosevelt honored the community by speaking from the steps of the new high school. The original building had 12 classrooms and a small auditorium. In 1919, the district added eight rooms and an auditorium-gymnasium. In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration and Public Work Administration funded another classroom building. The school board bought Harvey Bush’s zoo, west of the campus, for $4,000. It became the site of an athletic field. A new gym was built south of the main building in 1937. A cafeteria and agriculture classrooms opened in 1948. Southwest of the main building, a National Guard Armory became the girls’ gym.

The original Mesa High was the hub of community activity. Athletic championships, clubs, concerts, plays and pageants were a constant source of excitement and pride.
On the evening of October 1, 1967, the school’s main building burned. A loyal, heartbroken town turned out to watch.

Mesa High School - A high school was built at 1630 E. Southern Avenue in 1972. Principal Linwood Noble headed the new Mesa High. Mesa Jackrabbits, in purple and gold, still “Carry On”, their motto in pursuit of outstanding citizenship, and academic and athletic excellence.

Westwood High School - Westwood, at 945 W. Eighth St., is Mesa’s second high school. It was built in 1962. The motto is “Everybody is Somebody” at the school where the Warrior is the mascot and the official colors are royal blue and orange. Elias R. Brimhall was the founding principal.

Mountain View High School - Mountain View, at 2700 E. Brown Road opened its doors in 1977. With the Toro mascot, and colors of red and blue, Mountain View’s theme is “Go Forth With Pride.” James E. Curlett became the first Principal.

Dobson High School - Dobson is at 1501 W. Guadalupe Road. The Mustangs’ colors are royal blue and silver. Their motto is “A Good Thing Growing Better.” Paul Walsh was named principal when the school opened in 1981.

Red Mountain High School - Red Mountain, at 7301 E. Brown Road, was built in 1988. Principal Robert Free opened the school. Cardinal red and black are its colors. “Freedom With Responsibility” is the motto of the Mountain Lions.

Mesa Vo-Tech - With Dr. Keith Crandell as principal, Mesa Vo-Tech opened in 1973 at 200 S. Center, the site of old Mesa High. The vocational-technical school offers students in grades 10 through 12 the opportunity to earn 1-1/2 credits per semester in morning or afternoon sessions. Classes range from computers, communications and commercial foods to construction, electronics and health careers. A public preschool serves 3- and 4-year-olds.Beginning on July 1, 1991, Mesa Vo-Tech became an independent regional high school serving students who live in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Queen Creek, Higley and J.O Combs school districts.

Skyline High School - With Dr. Ken Salas as principal, Skyline opened August 1999 with the start of the new school year, at 845 South Crismon Road. Gold and dark green are the colors of the Skyline Coyotes.

Junior High Schools Top Mesa Junior High was Mesa’s first junior high. Designed for grades seven through nine, it was built in 1952 under the leadership of Dr. Harvey L. Taylor, superintendent.

Junior High Schools, their addresses, opening dates and founding principals are--

• Kit Carson (Explorer)
  525 N. Westwood
  1958 – Lorenzo P. Rich
• John C. Fremont (Explorer)
  1001 N. Power Road
  1968 – William K. Poston
• Herman Hendrix (Superintendent)
  1550 W. Summit Place (Chandler)
  1985 –Susie Wissinger
• Father Eusebio Kino (Missionary)
  848 N. Horne
  1966 –Lorenzo P. Rich
• Mesa Junior
  828 E. Broadway
  1952 –Elias R. Brimhall
• Charles D. Poston (Politician)
  2433 E. Adobe
  1974 –M. Glenn Guthrie
• John Wesley Powell (Explorer)
  855 W. Eighth Ave.
  1971 –Reed Ellsworth
• John J. Rhodes (Congressman)
  1860 S. Longmore
  1978 –Gail Pew
• Rulon T. Shepherd (Superintendent)
  1407 N. Alta Mesa Drive
  1987 –Dwayne Brimhall
• George M. Smith (Superintendent)
  10100 E. Adobe
  2001 – Bruce Cox
• O.S. Stapley (Pioneer)
  3250 E. Hermosa Vista Drive
  1994 –Mark Olderog
• Harvey L. Taylor (Superintendent)
  705 S. 32nd St.
  1981 –Reed Ellsworth

Consolidation Top

In July 1946, all elementary schools in Mesa, Alma, Jordan and Lehi districts were consolidated into Mesa District No. 4. At that time, Mesa Union High School District No. 207 and Mesa Elementary District No. 4 were placed under one administration. Rulon T. Shepherd, elementary superintendent, and Dr. Harvey L. Taylor, high school superintendent. Spearheaded the consolidation.

In 1976, under Dr. George N. Smith, Superintendent, elementary and secondary schools joined to form Mesa Unified School District No. 4. Dr. Smith was Superintendent from 1968 – 1984.

• Dr. James Zaharis served as Superintendent from 1984 – 1999.
• Dr. Dale Frederick was Superintendent from July 1999 until December 2000.
• Dr. Debra Duvall was named Superintendent in December 2000.