Before Tempe was a city or Arizona was a state, there was Tempe Elementary School District No. 3.
From its beginnings in 1874 with 43 students in a one-room adobe building built by volunteers on the southeastern corner of Eighth Street (now University Drive) and Mill Avenue, TD3, as it is known, served kids in the area when crops and cattle dominated the landscape.
The district has grown up along with the community around it, now offering elementary, middle school, K-8, gifted and specialty school options to more than 10,000 students – down from its height of 13,540 in 1975 – with 25 schools spread across more than 35 square miles, including the town of Guadalupe and parts of Phoenix. Within its boundaries is Arizona State University, among the nation’s largest and most innovative campuses.
Many civic and political leaders have passed through the doors of TD3 schools.
For 150 years.
On Saturday, TD3 will mark the milestone anniversary with festivities open to the public in what could amount to a large-scale city reunion.
TD3 for the second straight year recently was named Arizona’s top elementary school district by Arizona’s largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll, AZ Big Media’s Ranking AZ. Last year, the district was listed among the best places to work in the state.
The district rode the waves of massive expansion in the late 20th century and endured the pains of contraction in the early 21st century when school choice and school vouchers in Arizona began to take a toll on district schools.
Through it all, the mission has remained unchanged, according to the man who now heads the district, Superintendent Dr. James Driscoll.
“Our focus is to change the trajectory of all students' lives, introducing bigger ideas and a broader world than their own,” Driscoll said. “One hundred and fifty years ago, the Tempe community made a commitment to public education, a promise that has not only endured, but has strengthened with each passing year. “As we mark this incredible milestone, I want to thank our Tempe community for being a part of our journey,” he continued.
“This anniversary is not just about reflecting on our past, it’s about looking forward to our future. With our Strategic Plan as our guide, we are focused on continuing to strengthen student achievement, attract and retain outstanding employees and build meaningful community partnerships.”
Addressing challenges
The 21st century brought changing demographics within the district. Not only has it lost roughly 3,500 students down to 10,759, but approximately 69% of those who remain receive free or reduced-price lunch because they come from households at or below the federal poverty line..
Since Feb. 1, 2024, TD3 has made breakfast and lunch available to all elementary, K-8 and middle school sites through the expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.
The culturally, socio-economic diverse student population is taught by 691 dedicated education professionals, who include 33 staff members with active National Board Certification among their ranks.
The district supports ongoing teacher development, offering a stipend of $5,000 annually as long as the certification is maintained.
National Board Certification is a highly respected professional credential in education, designed to develop, retain and recognize exceptional teachers across the country.
The extensive certification process includes a content-knowledge assessment as well as providing evidence of candidates meeting National Board Standards in their practice and in their impact on student learning over time.
Arizona K12 Center includes TD3 on its list of the top 10 Arizona public systems most financially invested in National Board Certification.
“The future is bright and transformational in Tempe Elementary,” Driscoll said. “Our vision embraces the important work in preparing students to be confident and future-ready.
“We consider it an incredible honor to be named the Number 1 elementary school district in Arizona for 2025, just as we prepare to celebrate our 150th anniversary, and to have been named the No. 1 elementary school district in 2024, and voted in the top 7 winners for Best Places to Work in 2024 by Arizona's largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll.”
Let the celebration begin
The district’s official observance of its 150th anniversary is 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, April 5, at its Sanchez Administration Building, 3205 S. Rural Road in Tempe. Monica Allread, the district’s director of communications, describes it as “kind of a drop in, open-house type of event.”
The highlight is the Hallway History Exhibit, featuring photos and a timeline of events and artifacts, which typically is not open to the public.
“So, that’s kind of a big deal,” Allread said. “It will only be open for those three hours. It is it's a way to walk through our history, starting in 1874, when we were founded.
“There are giant photos from back in the late 1800s to present day, lots of interesting facts at different points along the way, as different buildings were built, schools and expansions and different programs added.”
Also part of the celebration is a Legacy Tree for everyone who visits who is a former staff member or student.
“They’ll fill out an apple if they were a teacher or a leaf if they are a former student, and we’ll be building this tree with everyone’s contact information so we can reach out and tell their stories over the next year,” Allread said.
Tempe El’s birthday party
Where: Sanchez Administration Building, 3205 S. Rural Road in Tempe
When: 9 a.m.-12 noon, Saturday, April 5
Events:
9:15 a.m. - Cast of Disney's Moana Jr. from Connolly Middle School.
10 a.m. – Eighth-grade orchestra from Mosley Middle School.
11 a.m. - Proclamation from the city of Tempe.
11:20 a.m. - Mariachi Fuego de Fees Middle School.
Food trucks will be onsite.
There is no admission charge.
