Mission

In partnership with parents and the community, and with the belief that all children are capable of success, we, the teachers and staff at New River Elementary School, commit to: foster each child's full academic potential; build each child's self-esteem; and empower each child to become a responsible, respectful, and contributing citizen.

About Our School

New River Elementary School is nestled in the foothills of the Sonoran Desert, 20 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. A quaint country school is the learning environment for students in grades Kindergarten through 6th. We have been at this site since the 1962-63 school year.

During the 2002-2003 school year, a brand new campus was built for us! The new campus was constructed on the existing playground, while our north field was converted into a new playground. We spent a whole school year walking a dusty trail to and from campus! All of our hikes have finally paid off! We have a beautiful new campus!

Only at New River can children and nature be so entwined. The river runs beside us when the desert has a good downpour, otherwise it's a dry river bed. In winter, we enjoy the cold winter wind howling down the canyon river bed, making it pretty cold for us desert people. Some wild animals visit us from time to time and the teachers enjoy turning these situations into learning experiences.

In 1934, Mr. and Mrs. Essary opened up their living room to become the very first school. Later that year, a building was moved on to a site at Fig Springs and New River Road. School was held there until that building was moved to our current site. The original building is still used. For a long time it was the cafeteria, but when the new cafeteria was built it became the art room. The teacherage was also moved to the new site and was used as the teacher's lounge.