History

History

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A Rich History of Success

Chartered in 1996, Presidio School has almost two decades of history meeting the needs of a culturally and socially diverse student population. Presidio began its operation in a small remodeled mortuary serving 200 students. Through careful long-range planning and effective fiscal management Presidio has increased its enrollment to 400 students and has managed to move from its humble first home to a beautiful three-acre central Tucson campus with almost 30,000 square feet of classrooms including two state of the art science labs, a library, cafeteria, art room, music room, dance studio and multi-purpose auditorium all with access to the newest technology. In 2007, Presidio School was selected from over 120,000 public, charter, and private schools as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

1995

Founders and Co-Directors, Thomas Drexel and Terry Garza, first wrote and applied for the charter to start Presidio School in 1995. After a year-long process the charter for Presidio School was finally approved in 1996.

1996

Chartered in 1996 by the Arizona Board of Education and sponsored by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, Presidio School opened its doors for the first time in September of 1996.

2001

view of the mountains looking through the metal studs during construction of Presidio School
In 2001, Presidio School moved to our current location, a beautiful three-acre campus with almost 30,000 square feet of classrooms including two state of the art science labs, a library, cafeteria, art room, music room, dance studio and multi-purpose auditorium all with access to the newest technology.

2003

three high school girls embracing and smiling
April 2003 Presidio School applied for a charter amendment to move from a high school to a K-12. Presidio School began enrolling for middle school in September 2003.

2005

classroom
2005 Presidio begins enrolling AP Kindergarten – 4th grade becoming a K-12 school.

2007

high school students studying at their classroom desks
2007 Presidio School becomes the first charter school in Pima County to participate in the Pima County Joint Technological Education District (JTED).

2007

administrators from Presidio School receiving a plaque at the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence ceremony in Washington DC
2007 Presidio School is selected from over 120,000 public, charter, and private schools as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

2015

Fall 2015 Opened the early elementary campus which provided larger classrooms for our K-2 students; the addition of the Dreamscape Library, Fast ForWord Reading Lab, and a playground for K-3 students with a large play area and playground equipment.  The campus also features an interactive mural where students can fashion personal creations and community partnership murals honoring the Ben’s Bells BE KIND program and the Sandy Hook Promise to end social isolation and school violence. 

2017

Presidio high school receives a gold medal from U.S. News and World Report, their highest honor.

2019

Presidio enhanced the school’s performing arts by making improvements to the stage with the addition of professional quality sound and lighting systems and resurfacing of the stage flooring.  Presidio also formed community partnerships with The Live Theater Workshop for drama classes and with the Tucson Symphony to enable students at all grade levels to attend the symphony’s concerts.

2020

In 2020 Presidio School transitioned to solar power which not only saved overhead costs and  provided a covered play area on the K-2 campus, but has also allowed Presidio to model environmental stewardship for our students.