Discover the 13 Oldest Schools in Arizona

Initially part of Spanish and Mexican territories, Arizona was officially ceded to the United States in 1848. After becoming a separate territory 15 years later, in 1863, the Grand Canyon state did not formally earn its statehood until 1912. So, having been a part of the U.S. for more than 175 years and being the sixth largest state, you can imagine many ancient, historic structures throughout Arizona.

Arizona’s educational institutions are among the oldest buildings and landmarks in the state. From elementary schoolhouses to high schools and colleges, there is no shortage of history behind the walls of these structures. Continue reading to discover the 13 oldest schools in Arizona.

1. Prescott Free Academy (1867)

The very first public school constructed in Arizona was erected in the city of Prescott. Built long before Arizona officially earned its statehood, the school was initially opened in 1867. Nine years later, in 1876, a four-room brick public school building was constructed in the exact location. Deemed “Prescott Free Academy,” the original structure was torn down and replaced in 1903. The new building donned the name “Washington School” and was accompanied by a second building in 1914 for domestic science and manual arts classes.

Although the second building was demolished in 1979, an additional annex building erected in 1930 remains in use today. Prescott Free Academy/Washington School remains the oldest school building in Yavapai County, still being used as a school. Many believe it is the oldest in-use school in the Grand Canyon State!

2. Tucson High Magnet School (1906)

Located at 13th Street and 4th Avenue, the first day of classes at Tucson High Magnet School occurred on September 10th, 1906. The 45 students who started that day soon relocated to a 1010 E. 10th Street building. That building is the present location of Tucson Unified School District headquarters. Although construction on the current main building of Tucson High School was finished in 1924, it remains the oldest operating public high school in Arizona.

3. Alhambra Elementary School District (1888)

While the Alhambra Elementary School District encompasses multiple schools around Alhambra, the initial building opened up to classes on August 6th, 1888. The first building was a tiny one-room schoolhouse built long before Arizona became a recognized state. Today, the Alhambra Elementary School District teaches over 10,000 students in more than 17 schools.

4. Phoenix Elementary School District #1 (1871)

Opened in 1871 due to the division of Maricopa County from Yavapai, Phoenix Elementary School District #1 was the first free public school district in Arizona. The first classes took place on November 27th, 1871, in the first building constructed in the new district. These classes were taught in the courtroom of the Hancock Building at the Maricopa County Court. The new settlement included a general store and a butcher shop! A small one-room schoolhouse constructed out of adobe called “Little Adobe” was later constructed and eventually replaced by a proper brick school.

5. Mesa High School (1901)

Proudly standing today as the oldest high school in Mesa, the aptly named Mesa High School was originally constructed in 1909. Although the school still stands, it is not the original structure. The building erected in 1909 was destroyed by a fire in 1967. Its replacement, however, was constructed in 1972 and remains the current building.

6. University of Arizona (1885)

Located at 1401 E. University in Tucson, the University of Arizona is one of the oldest schools in the state. The main building first became a college in 1885, but it would be another ten years before the University saw its first graduates. The inaugural graduating class held a whopping population of three students! All of whom graduated in 1895.

7. Cartwright Heritage House (1884)

A one-room schoolhouse now called the Cartwright Heritage House is credited as the first school in the Cartwright School District. Reddick Jasper Cartwright was among those who decided to build the schoolhouse, and with donated land, help from the community, and a fundraiser, the structure was complete. A proper brick building replaced the little schoolhouse in 1921, but the original structure was kept as an office. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The school was later abandoned, and the city is still determining how to use it.

8. Phoenix Union High School (1895)

Before Arizona was officially a state, the population of Phoenix was already expanding, prompting the need for a secondary school. Phoenix Union High School was the answer and opened its doors ten years after the University of Arizona in 1895. The 18-acre campus was considered the oldest secondary school located in the Western United States and was officially classified as a landmark in 2003.

9. Phoenix Indian School (1892)

To serve the Native American students, Phoenix Indian School was opened in 1892 as a boarding school. The school has a bit of a dark history as the initial curriculum concentrated on conforming Native American children to the white socioeconomic order. An internship-type agenda aimed toward offering trade programs was enacted. Still, it was discontinued due to widespread abuse and exploitation of the students for cheap labor by white business owners. The school closed its doors in 1990, and the city of Phoenix transformed it into Steele Indian School Park.

10. Glendale School District (1892)

Formed in 1892, the first Glendale Grammar School opened a few years later. The school was operational for several years before the need for expansion became apparent. In 1911, the Glendale Union High School District, and 112 years later, it still stands as the oldest Arizona High School located on its original site.

11. Monroe School (1914)

Though not functional as a school anymore, during its operation (1914-1972), Monroe School was the largest elementary school west of the Mississippi River. Once the school of renowned artist Jackson Pollock, the institution opened its doors in 1914 and showcased its unique architecture for 58 years before closing. The building sat abandoned until volunteers restored the structure, creating the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. The museum is home to a plethora of artifacts from the original school.

12. George Washington Carver High School (1926)

In 1926, this school was the first school built by the district specifically for African-American students. It opened under the name Phoenix Union Colored High School. The school remained operational until segregated schools were disallowed in Arizona in 1954. The campus sat abandoned, used only as a storage space for decades until a group of alumni purchased the main building in 1996. The structure is presently known as the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.

13. St. Mary’s High School (1917)

Founded in 1917 by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, St. Mary’s High School is regarded as the first Roman Catholic High School in Phoenix. The first days of the school saw only 14 students — 10 girls and four boys and remained a co-ed school for several years. However, after undergoing alterations in 1928, male students were transferred to a different school. St. Mary’s effectively became an all-girls school until it required further restoration some years later. The school eventually returned to co-ed status and remains in operation. Interestingly, several students who graduated from St. Mary’s High School have become famous athletes in the world of sports!

Summary of the 13 Oldest Schools in Arizona