School History
OUR ROOTS
Connolly Middle School opened as Connolly Intermediate School in 1972. The school is named in honor of Tempe Daily News publishers, Francis and Irma Connolly. The Connollys were strong supporters of public schools and helped establish the strong sense of community in Tempe that continues today.
A SCHOOL WITHIN A SCHOOL
ASPIRE Academy opened at Connolly in the fall of 2012, welcoming eighth grade students into the self-contained gifted program. ASPIRE, which stands for Actualizing Student Potential Increases Resiliency and Excellence, now serves students from sixth through eighth grade.
FAST FACTS
| ESTABLISHED | MASCOT | ENROLLMENT |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Crusaders | approximately 1,100 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.