MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HISTORY OF SCHOOL OPENINGS

Elementary schools | Junior High Schools | Senior High Schools | Focus Schools

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
SCHOOL NAME
DATE OPENED
NOTES
Adams
(John Quincy Adams, President)		 Opened 1963
Opened 1966 		Phase1
Phase 2
Alma
 (Original 1896-1970 - on South Alma School Road
(Early School) 		1974-1975
Opened October 1977
August 1979		 Alma at Redbird
Moved into new school without sixth graders. New school located at 1313 West Medina.
Sixth graders bused to Jordan until portables were completed November 1979.
Brinton
(Dilworth Brinton, former Mesa Board Member)		 Opened August 2001 Opened at beginning of 2001-2002 school year.
Bush
(Barbara Bush, First Lady)		 Opened August 1996 Opened at beginning of 1996-1997 school year.
Crismon
(Charles Crismon, Mesa pioneer)		 Sept. to Nov. 1980
Opened November 1980		 Crismon at Redbird -- double sessions.
Moved into Crismon
Edison
(Thomas Edison, Inventor) 		Opened 1957
 Opened at beginning of school year.
Eisenhower
(Dwight D. Eisenhower, President) 		1971-1972
September 1972 		Eisenhower at Edison.
Moved into new school.
Emerson
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, Author) 		Opened 1953 Opened at beginning of school year.
Entz
(Marjorie Entz, Mesa Educator) 		Opened 1993 Opened at beginning of school year.
Falcon Hill
(Geographic Location) 		Opened August 1990 Opened at beginning of school year.
Field
(Eugene Field, Author)		 1973-1974
Aug. 1974 - Jan. 1975
January 1975 		K-4 portables at old Mesa High, 5-6 at Eisenhower.
K-6 old Franklin on Main Street.
Moved into Field.

Franklin
(Original at 245 E. Main Street. 1914-1973)
(Benjamin Franklin, Statesman)

 1973 After the Webster school at 236 S. Sirrine moved to Sycamore, the building at 236 S. Sirrine was renamed Franklin in 1973.
In 1975 the property on Main Street (Original Franklin) was sold to the city.
In 1977 established as a basic alternative school
Opened 1977-1978 as an alternative basic school. First year enrollment was 240. (From Franklin, 51; Lincoln, 80; Lowell, 80; Edison, 3; Redbird, 3; Eisenhower, 2; Jefferson, 1; Roosevelt, 1; Salk, 1; Stevenson, 1; Whittier, 1; Out of District, 16).
In 1989 moved to Parkway building at 1753 E. 8th Avenue. In 1991 newly renovated building. Name changed to Franklin East in 1992
Franklin Northeast Opened 1997 Opened at beginning of school year.
Third alternative basic elementary school.
Located at 7038-1 East Adobe Road, Mesa.
First year enrollment: 356. (From: Bush, 10; Eisenhower, 5; Entz, 8; Falcon Hill, 24; Field, 3; Hale, 1; Hermosa Vista, 1; Highland, 10; Holmes, 3; Irving, 5; Ishikawa, 1; Jefferson, 28; Johnson, 1; Las Sendas, 8; Lehi, 1: Lowell, 3; MacArthur, 1; Madison, 11; O'Connor, 15; Pomeroy, 1; Red Mountain Ranch, 20; Redbird, 2; Robson, 1; Salk, 60; Sousa, 7; Stevenson, 9; Taft, 10; Mendoza, 41; Mesa Unknown, 3; Apache Junction, 6; Gilbert, 21; Higley, 6; Brimhall, 2; Fremont, 18; Mesa Jr., 1; Poston, 3; Powell, 1; Shepherd, 2; Stapley, 2; Gilbert, 1.)
Seventh graders moved back to home schools in 2000-2001. Last year for 8th graders was 2000-2001.
Franklin South Opened August 1999

Opened at beginning of school year.
Fourth alternative basic elementary school.
Located east of Brimhall Junior High School.
First year enrollment: 296. (From: Edison, 1; Hawthorne, 1; Holmes, 2; Irving, 24; Jefferson, 24; LIncoln, 1; Longfellow, 3; Lowell, 2; Webster, 2; WHitman, 1; Eisenhower, 1; Lindbergh, 6; Salk, 4; Stevenson, 1; Keller, 3; Pomeroy, 2; Highland, 8; Robson, 6; Johnson, 21; O'Connor, 8; Mendoza, 4; Madison, 11; Sousa, 1; Porter, 7; Entz, 1; WIlson, 16; Patterson, 1; Mesa Unknown, 1; Apache Junction, 2; Gilbert, 108, Higley, 17; Queen Creek, 2; Scottsdale, 2; Tempe, 2.)
Franklin West

1992-1993






1997-1998

2000-2001

 Second alternative basic school. Located on Sirrine.
First year enrollment: 362. (From Adams, 3; Crismon, 6; Edison, 35; Eisenhower, 26; Emerson, 22; Field, 2; Frost, 6; Hawthorne, 11; Hermosa Vista, 3; Highland, 2; Holmes, 16; Irving, 3; Jefferson, 11; Keller, 5; Lehi, 23; Lincoln, 27; Lindbergh, 6; Longfellow, 19; Lowell, 36; MacArthur, 1; Madison, 1; Mendoza, 1; O'Connor, 18; Porter, 3; Redbird, 20; Robson, 7; Roosevelt, 1; Salk, 6; Stevenson, 3; Taft, 1; Webster, 15; Whitman, 4; Whittier, 13; Unknown, 6.)
7th & 8th graders added to Franklin West campus, Eldon Budge, principal of both.

In 2000-2001 7th and 8th graders were moved back to home schools.
Frost
(Robert Frost, Poet) 		Opened 1987 Opened at beginning of school year.
Guerrero
(Pedro Guerrero, early pioneer and businessman)		 Opened August 2000 Opened at beginning of school year.
Hale
(Nathan H. Hale, Patriot) 		Opened August 1969 Opened at beginning of school year.
Hawthorne
(Nathaniel Hawthorne, Author)		 Opened 1962 Opened at beginning of school year.
Hermosa Vista
(Geographic Location) 		Opened 1989 Opened at beginning of school year.
Highland
(Canal in area)		 Aug. 1979- Jan. 1980
January 1980 		Highland at Hale -- double sessions.
Moved into Highland
Holmes
(Oliver Wendell Holmes, Justice) 		Opened 1963 Opened at beginning of school year.
Irving
(Washington Irving, Author)		 1899 Bonds were approved and an eight room school out of red brick was built and named North School. It was used until 1936 when it was replaced by Washington Irving School
1936-1978 -- Old Irving located at 155 N. Center -- City of Mesa purchased property.
August 1978 -- New building.
Ishikawa
(Zedo Ishikawa, Early Mesa High student) 		Opened 1987 Opened at beginning of school year.
Jefferson
(Thomas Jefferson, President) 		Opened 1959 Opened at beginning of school year.
Johnson
(Veora Johnson, Mesa Educator/Principal) 		Opened 1985 Opened at beginning of school year.
Jordan
(Original 1913-1952)
(Early school) 		1913-1952
1978-1979
August 1979 		West Baseline Road -- abandoned in 1952.
Jordan at Washington -- double sessions.
Moved into Jordan.
Keller
(Helen Keller, Author)		 1975-1976 Keller at Lindbergh. Two separate schools in one facility.
May 1976 -- Moved into new school.
Kerr
(Dr. John K. Kerr, Former Mesa Board Member 		Opened 1993 Opened at beginning of school year.
Las Sendas
(Geographic Location)		 Opened August 1997 Opened at beginning of school year.
Lehi
(Original 1879-1976 -- located at Lehi and Horne roads.
(Early school) 		Feb. 1976 - May 1976
1976-1977 		Lehi at MacArthur.
Lehi/MacArthur combined students -- one staff and one principal.
August 1977 - Feb. 1978 -- Lehi/MacArthur. Separate Lehi and MacArthur students and staff -- not double sessions.
February 1978 -- moved into new Lehi at 2555 N. Stapley Drive.
Lincoln
(Original 1890-1920)
(Abraham Lincoln, President) 		1920 On Second Avenue and Center, converted in 1958 to Mesa High Library, later to CIC. CIC changed to Mesa Vo-Tech, the to EVIT and now the city owns it.
In 1958 new Lincoln on South Sirrine.
Lindbergh
(Ann Morrow Lindbergh, Author) 		1972-1973
1973 		Lindbergh was holding school at old Franklin on Main.
Moved into new Lindbergh.
Longfellow
(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Poet) 		Opened 1961 Opened at beginning of school year.
Lowell
(James Russell Lowell, Author) 		Opened 1956 Opened at beginning of school year.
MacArthur
(General Douglas MacArthur) 		Opened 1976 Opened at beginning of school year.
Madison
(James Madison, President) 		Opened 1988 Opened at beginning of school year.
Mendoza
(Ramon S. Mendoza, long time Mesa Chief of Police)		 Opened 1987 Opened at beginning of school year.
O'Connor
(Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice) 		Opened 1986 Opened at beginning of school year.
Parkway 1973
1991 		Special education students.
Franklin moved to Parkway.
Patterson
(Dwight Patterson, Former Mesa School Board Member) 		Opened August 1999 Opened at beginning of school year.
Pomeroy
(Francis M. Pomeroy, Mesa Pioneer) 		Aug. 1979 - Nov. 1979
1979

Pomeroy at Irving (no double sessions -- separate).
Moved to new Pomeroy.
Porter
(William S. Porter, Arizona Legislator)		 Opened August 1991 Opened at beginning of school year.
Red Mountain Ranch
(Geographic Location) 		Opened August 1994 Opened at beginning of school year.
Redbird
(Ida Redbird, Arizona Native American Artist) 		Sept. 1973 - Dec. 1973
January 1974 		Holding school at old Mesa High.
Moved into Redbird.
Robson
(Charles I. Robson, Mesa Pioneer) 		1983
January 1984		 Opened with classrooms only.
Complete facility opened.
Roosevelt
(Theodore Roosevelt, President) 		1971-1972
August 1972		 Roosevelt at Adams -- double sessions
Moved into new school.
Salk
(Dr. Jonas Salk, Scientist) 		1971-1972
Opened September 1972 		Holding school at old Mesa High.
Moved into Salk.
Sirrine
(George Warren Sirrine, Mesa Pioneer)		 Opened 1983 Double sessions at Pomeroy.
Moved in December 1983.
Sousa
(John Philip Sousa, Musician)		 Opened 1988 Opened at beginning of school year.
Stevenson
(Robert Louis Stevenson, Author)		 1974-1975
May 1975 		Stevenson at Jefferson -- double sessions.
Moved into new school.
Taft
(William Howard Taft, President) 		Opened September 1965 Early dismissal for first three weeks due to lack of electricity.
Washington
(Booker T. Washington, Educator) 		1920

Original school housed only Black American students. In 1954 the practice of segregation was stopped in the elementary schools. (High school students were never segregated and segregation for junior high students ended in 1952.)
1967 -- Board voted Washington to be closed as a general elementary school at the end of 1966-1967 school year and students were assigned to other schools.
1975 -- Building sold to City of Mesa.
1974-1975 -- Washington at Whittier -- separate students/planning principal.
August 1975 -- moved into Washington -- new building.

Webster
(Daniel Webster, Statesman) 		1910-1948

Old Webster on East Broadway (destroyed by fire) was erected especially for Mexican American students. Taylor Field (old Jackrabbit Stadium) replaced the school.
1949-1959 -- Webster at 236 S. Sirrine.
1959 -- Webster moved to 202 N. Sycamore.
1975-1976 -- Old Webster on south Sirrine renamed Franklin Elementary School.
Whitman
(Walt Whitman, Poet) 		Opened 1965-1966 1967-1968 -- Whitman school divided into two parts by region a.m. and p.m. until second part of school was completed.
Whittier
(John Greenleaf Whittier, Poet) 		Opened 1961 Opened at beginning of school year.
Wilson
(Marilyn Wilson, Former Mesa School Board Member)		 Opened 1998 Opening at beginning of 1998-1999 school year.
Montessori grades K-3.
Zaharis
(James K. Zaharis, Former Mesa Superintendent) 		Opened 2002 Opening at beginning of 2002-2003 school year.
   
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
SCHOOL NAME
DATE OPENED
NOTES
Brimhall
(Elias Rae Brimhall, Mesa Educator) 		Opened August 1992 Opened at beginning of the school year.
Carson
(Carson was called West Junior High from 1958 to 1965 when it was renamed.)
(Kit Carson, Explorer) 		1958 Opened at beginning of the school year.
Mesa's second junior high school.
Fremont
(John C. Fremont, Explorer) 		Sept. 1968 - Feb. 1969
1969

Fremont at Kino -- Double sessions.
Moved to Fremont.

Franklin 2009-2010 Franklin Junior High Sshool opened in August 2009 to serve 7th grade students. The campus is located at 7038 E. Adobe St., Mesa, adjoining Franklin Northeast Elementary School.
2010-2011 - 8th grade will be added
2011-1012 - 9th grade will be added
Hendrix
(Herman Elbert Hendrix, Superintendent before Mesa schools were unified, Mesa High School District.)		 Opened 1985 Opened at the beginning of the school year.
Kino
(Father Kino, MIssionary) 		1965-1966
September 1966 		Kino at Mesa Junior.
Moved into Kino.
Mesa Junior
(City) 		1952 Mesa's first junior high school.
Mesa Jr. was called East Junior High from 1952 to 1965 when it was renamed.
Poston
(Charles D. Poston, Politician)		 1973-1974
August 1974 		Poston at Mesa Junior -- double sessions.
Moved into Poston.
Powell
(John Wesley Powell, Explorer)		 1970-1971
September 1971 		Powell at Carson -- double sessions.
Moved into Powell.
Rhodes
(John J. Rhodes II, Arizona Congressman)		 Aug. 1977 - April 1978
April 1978
1982-1983 		Rhodes at Powell -- double sessions.
Moved into Rhodes.
Moved freshman to Dobson until Hendrix opened in 1985.
Shepherd
(Rulon T. Shepherd, Former Mesa Superintendent)		 Opened 1987 Opened at the beginning of the school year.
Smith
(George Smith, Former Mesa Superintendent)		 Opened 2001 Opened at the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year.
Stapley
(O. S. Stapley, Former Mesa School Board Member)		 Opened August 1994 Opened at the beginning of the school year.
   
Note: According to "Our Town -- The Story of Mesa, Arizona 1978 - 1991," the first high school classes began in September 1899 on the second floor of the Old North Elementary located at 155 North Center. This site later became Irving Elementary School until 1975 when the City of Mesa bought the property.
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
SCHOOL NAME
DATE OPENED
NOTES
Dobson
(Geographic Location 		1981 Housed Rhodes freshman from 1982-1983 until Hendrix opened in 1985.
Mesa High
(Geographic Location)		 1908-1967 On January 4, 1908 the school district paid $75 for the east half of Block 20, at Second Avenue and Center. The original Mesa High opened in 1908. October, 1967 old Mesa High burned down. In the interim, classes met in the remaining buildings and the old Webster building at 236 S. Sirrine.
1973 -- The new Mesa High opened at 1630 East Southern Avenue.
Mountain View
(Geographic Location) 		1976-1977 Mountain View at Mesa High. Overlapping double sessions.
August 1977 -- Moved into Mountain View.
Red Mountain
(Geographic Location) 		1988 Opened at the beginning of the school year.
Skyline
(Geographic Location)		 Opened August 1999 Opened at the beginning of the school year.
Westwood
(Geographic Location) 		1962 Opened at the beginning of the school year.
   
FOCUS SCHOOLS (FORMERLY ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS)
PROGRAM NAME
DATE OPENED
NOTES
Biotechnology Academy
(Grades 10-12) 		2005-2006 Located at 1630 E. Southern Avenue.
BioTech Academy is to provide students with skills and knowledge to make a seamless transition to a successful post-high school education and/or related position within the bioindustry.
Crossroads 2006-2007 Located at 535 S. Lewis
Casa de Mesa
Changed to Eagleridge		 1996-1997

Located at 737 West Guadalupe in Mesa. Furnishing services for home taught students.
1997-1998 -- Changed to Eagleridge
1999-2000 -- Eagleridge high school students housed at EVA.
Franklin 7 & 8
(Franklin West) 		1994-1995

Alternative Basic Junior High School.
1994-1995 -- 7th grade only at Franklin West campus.
1995-1995 -- 8th grade added -- 7 & 8 moved to South Lewis.
Co-principals: Eldon Budge and Marc Mason for the first two years.
1996-1997 -- First year with one principal -- Eldon Budge.
1997-1998 -- 7th & 8th moved to the Franklin West campus.
2000-2001 -- 7th & 8th moved back to home schools

Mesa Vo-Tech
Later named East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) 		1972

Originally Mesa Central High School -- alternative high school.
1980 -- Renamed to Mesa Central Vocational Technical Center.
1984 -- Name changed to Mesa Vo-Tech.
1991-1992 -- Name changed to EVIT -- made up of the following districts: Mesa, Tempe Union, Queen Creek, Higley, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Combs Elementary, Apache Junction, Chandler and Scottsdale. Operates independently as a regional vocational-technical high school. New campus located on Main Street west of Alma School Road.
East Valley Academy (EVA) Opened August 1999 Located by EVIT, academic program for students attending EVIT.
East Mesa Early Childhood Education Center Opened August 2001  
Health Science High School
(Grades 9-12) 		2007-2008 Located at 1727 West Main Street.
Offering a unique career training path in the expanding health care industry. The program is a partnership between Mesa Public Schools and East Valley Institute of Technology.
K-12 International Baccalaureate Programme 2008-2009 To open in 2008-2009.
MPS will pilot this program to give inquisitive, motivated students the foundation for college and citizenship skills needed in the 21st century.
MARC Center
(Mesa Association for Retarded Children Control) 		1957 Founded as a private facility.
1962 -- Became part of MPS
In the fall of 1976 MARC Center became independent of Mesa Public Schools, it became a private, nonprofit facility supported by federal and state funds. Located at 924 North Country Club Drive.
McKellips Learning Center 1996-1997 Located at 325 East McKellips in Mesa. Program for students not performing in regular classroom.
Mesa Academy for the Advanced Studies 2007-2008 Opened for the 2007-2008 school year. Located at 6919 East Brown Road with Bob Crispin as the principal.
Grades five through nine. The premier Mesa Academy for Advanced Sudies is a fresh concept in education. The school's curriculum will challenge the inquisitive, academically-motivated student who views the world as their classroom.
Parkway 1973 Special education facility opened for trainable mentally handicapped students at 1753 East 8th Avenue. In 1989, with the integration of most students into regular campuses, the Governing Board decided to move Franklin Elementary School to the Parkway site.
Power Middle School 1995-1996

2009		 Was originally Mesa Vista Middle School. Located at 7038 East Adobe, Mesa. Program for students not performing in regular classroom.
Program closed.
Riverview High School
(Formerly Mesa Vista High School) 		2006

1969		 Riverview High School was formerly Mesa Vista High School. The name was changed in 2006.
Mesa Vista, formerly Opportunity Hall, was located at 143 South Alma School Road. Mesa Vista replaced it in 1981, located at 535 South Lewis. Salt River Vista began in 1984 at McDowell and Longmore. New campus at 266 South Center. Program for students not performing in regular classroom.
Salt River Vista 1984 Opened at McDowell and Longmore. (Started with Mesa Vista.) Program for students not performing in regular classroom.
S.H.A.R.P
(School Home Adjustment Reinforcement Program)		 1977 7302 East Adobe Road. Serves seriously emotionally handicapped students. Students first met on the campus of the old Lehi Elementary School at 2345 North Horne.
Sundown/Saturday School
Summer School 		January 1994 Originally started at Mesa High and Westwood High Schools, then mostly at Mesa High School. Summer school is also ran through this program. Jess Cardona was the director when originally established.
Sunridge Learning Center 1994-1995 Located at 737 West Guadalupe in Mesa. Bev Potter, Director. Regional ESL, ELP, and Montessori Programs.
Superstition High School
(Formerly Boulder Canyon High School) 		2006
Opened August 1999		 Name changed in 2006-2007. Located near Skyline High School
Program for students not performing in regular classroom.
2006-2007 renamed to Superstition High School
T.A.P.P.
(Teen Age Pregnancy Program -- for expectant mothers)		 1985




2009		 Opened on the Mesa Vo-Tech campus at 200 South Center. It was formerly called Stapley Hall, which opened in 1971 at 560 North Lazona.
In 1989, TAPP added an Infant Care Program for babies from birth to one year of age. In addition to day care, the program focuses on parenthood training and continuing education. Located at 1727 West Main Street, Mesa.
TAPP now under EVA
STAR
(Students At-Risk) 		September 1993 An Alternative Learning Program at Westwood and Mesa High Schools.
STAR is a flexible program for students at high risk for dropout or whose have dropped out of school but would like to graduate.
World Studies Academy 2008-2009 To open 2008-2009 at Rhodes Junior High School.
Rhodes will launch a ground-breaking academic model that offers students an education for tomorrow's world.
   
Other Notes Regarding History of Mesa Public Schools: From "Our Town - 1878-1978," "Mesa junior high schools are named after men who have been influential in the growth of our state and our district. The elementary schools bear the names of men and women of significance in American History."
1946 -- Mesa, Alma, Jordan, and Lehi elementary school districts consolidated.
1976 -- Unified Schools (Elementary and secondary schools joined)
 

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