School History
OUR ROOTS
Thew Elementary opened in September, 1958 with 19 classrooms and a "cafetorium" (a combination of a cafeteria and auditorium) on seven and a half acres. The school was named after Flora Thew who, after she retired in 1961 at the age of 70, was the longest continuously-employed classroom teacher in Arizona, serving all of her 49 years teaching first grade in Tempe Elementary Schools.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Thew was rebuilt in 2008 to better fit the needs of 21st century students.
FAST FACTS
| ESTABLISHED | MASCOT | ENROLLMENT |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Bulldogs | 600 students |
Celebrating 150 Years of Tempe Elementary Schools
For more than 150 years, Tempe Elementary Schools has provided community-inspired education serving the families of Tempe, Phoenix, Guadalupe, and beyond. Explore the district timeline to journey through our key milestones and transformative events that highlight our evolution into a modern educational leader.