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Applications for McKemy Academy 2025-26 school year are NOW OPEN!
We Are
Tempe Elementary Schools
Welcoming, achieving, eye-opening, and future-ready Preschool-8 education to free the boundless potential in each child – so they are fully prepared to embrace the opportunities of tomorrow and excel for a lifetime.
150
Tempe celebrates 150 Years of Community Inspired Education and a longstanding heritage of investment in all its students.
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Tempe Elementary Schools have earned an "A" and "B" rating from the Arizona State Board of Education.
250+
Over 250 Community partners have donated materials, resources and learning experiences- freeing the boundless potential in each child.
330
Tempe Elementary Schools educators have earned over 330 advanced degrees in education, counseling, psychology, social work, fine arts and music.
Reasons To
Believe
Welcoming Community. Destination District.
Academic Achievement for All
Eye-Opening Discovery in the Classroom
Empowering the Confident, Future-Ready Child
Only in Tempe
Unparalleled
Advantages For All
Tempe is a world-class education destination committed to accessible, equitable, high-quality education for all. Every Tempe Elementary student has access to enriching programs and support services to meet their individual needs and empower them to expand their interests, develop their gifts, and discover their true potential - often at little or no cost to the family.
Voted #1 Elementary School District and Top 7 Best Places to Work
Voted # 1 by our staff, parents and community in 2024, Tempe Elementary Schools ranked top by Arizona's largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll, Ranking Arizona.
Celebrating 150 Years of Academic Excellence
In 2024, Tempe Elementary Schools proudly celebrates 150 years of community-inspired education serving families within and the surrounding areas of Tempe, Phoenix, and Guadalupe.
Revolutionizing Education
Tempe Elementary Schools has an intentional clear set of beliefs, goals, and strategic framework to guide the District for today and the future.
Experiential Learning & Real-World Experiences
Through collaboration and creativity, our local community partners are critical for all students' success, giving them access to essential resources and real-world experiences.
Resources & Evidence-Based Support Services
Our team of professionals is dedicated to fostering the social, emotional, and healthy development of students and their families.
International Baccalaureate Program (IB)
McKemy is the home of Tempe's IB program, developing knowledgeable and caring students who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Who we are
One Community, Many Stories
Celebrating 150 years of rich history and community-inspired learning, Tempe is a unique cultural hub connecting the three vibrant communities of Tempe, Phoenix, and Guadalupe.
![McKemy students walking in breezeway]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733180152/tempeschoolsorg/c7rgiykifvbwladixlir/McKemyMSStudentsWalking_3293.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733180152/tempeschoolsorg/c7rgiykifvbwladixlir/McKemyMSStudentsWalking_3293.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733180152/tempeschoolsorg/c7rgiykifvbwladixlir/McKemyMSStudentsWalking_3293.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1733180152/tempeschoolsorg/c7rgiykifvbwladixlir/McKemyMSStudentsWalking_3293.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1733180152/tempeschoolsorg/c7rgiykifvbwladixlir/McKemyMSStudentsWalking_3293.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1733180152/tempeschoolsorg/c7rgiykifvbwladixlir/McKemyMSStudentsWalking_3293.jpg","width":2200}])
McKemy Academy of International Studies is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Serving grades six through eight, McKemy’s global-mindedness program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To learn more about this unique middle school option, we interviewed three members of the McKemy community:
![two students standing in front of presentation board]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1716397464/tempeschoolsorg/oqdaa8st3dmibchj7qjn/IMG_5838.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1716397464/tempeschoolsorg/oqdaa8st3dmibchj7qjn/IMG_5838.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1716397464/tempeschoolsorg/oqdaa8st3dmibchj7qjn/IMG_5838.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1716397464/tempeschoolsorg/oqdaa8st3dmibchj7qjn/IMG_5838.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1716397464/tempeschoolsorg/oqdaa8st3dmibchj7qjn/IMG_5838.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1716397464/tempeschoolsorg/oqdaa8st3dmibchj7qjn/IMG_5838.jpg","width":2200}])
The Community Project Showcase serves as the culminating event for McKemy students who have been working on their chosen project all year. This project epitomizes the IB philosophy that students have been focusing on throughout their middle school journey.
![Ward student playing violin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717179359/tempeschoolsorg/dch8axwsarru8ooyettc/Ward_Boy_Orchestra_3884.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717179359/tempeschoolsorg/dch8axwsarru8ooyettc/Ward_Boy_Orchestra_3884.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717179359/tempeschoolsorg/dch8axwsarru8ooyettc/Ward_Boy_Orchestra_3884.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1717179359/tempeschoolsorg/dch8axwsarru8ooyettc/Ward_Boy_Orchestra_3884.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1717179359/tempeschoolsorg/dch8axwsarru8ooyettc/Ward_Boy_Orchestra_3884.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1717179359/tempeschoolsorg/dch8axwsarru8ooyettc/Ward_Boy_Orchestra_3884.jpg","width":2200}])
Read More
about Tempe Elementary Named Best Community for Music Education for Sixth Year
![2023-2024 Excellence Awards Thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717449850/tempeschoolsorg/e7ah5hrklzlhzmiirbso/23-24ExcellenceThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717449850/tempeschoolsorg/e7ah5hrklzlhzmiirbso/23-24ExcellenceThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717449850/tempeschoolsorg/e7ah5hrklzlhzmiirbso/23-24ExcellenceThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717449850/tempeschoolsorg/e7ah5hrklzlhzmiirbso/23-24ExcellenceThumbnail.png","width":1080}])
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about Meet our 2023-2024 Excellence Award Winner: Nicole Boyd
![AZ Ranking logo with photo of Dr. Driscoll with students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717520354/tempeschoolsorg/wmhs19o4fshxmzcoja9w/RankingAZLogo_Square.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717520354/tempeschoolsorg/wmhs19o4fshxmzcoja9w/RankingAZLogo_Square.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717520354/tempeschoolsorg/wmhs19o4fshxmzcoja9w/RankingAZLogo_Square.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1717520354/tempeschoolsorg/wmhs19o4fshxmzcoja9w/RankingAZLogo_Square.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1717520354/tempeschoolsorg/wmhs19o4fshxmzcoja9w/RankingAZLogo_Square.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1717520354/tempeschoolsorg/wmhs19o4fshxmzcoja9w/RankingAZLogo_Square.jpg","width":2200}])
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about Tempe Elementary Ranked No. 1 Elementary School District in Arizona
Awards &
Recognition
We're honored to have been named the #1 Elementary School District in 2024 and voted in the Top 7 winners for Best Places to Work, by Arizona's largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll.
“I've been at McKemy for 11 years now and I choose to be here because of the amazing students that we attract every year and the camaraderie that we have amongst our faculty and students.”
Oanh Nguyen | McKemy Academy
“One of the amazing things about McKemy is that we are an IB school, which means that the way that we teach in our classes is very inquiry-based. So a lot of the things we do as teachers result in these amazing projects that build community.”
Makayla Wilson | McKemy Academy
“We have high standards for academics. We also assess students on a criterion that is developed to watch students grow. So it doesn't really matter where you come in, we're looking for growth. Students pose really big questions and then we dig deep to answer those questions.”
Kathleen Burd | McKemy Academy
“What I love most about being a McKemy student is the option to explore things outside of what we're taught. If we're learning about like geometry, there's other branches of it, and I'm able to learn it and ask questions about it as well.”
Sophia C. | McKemy Academy Student