CATALINA FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DISRICT # 16
BUILDING A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
1931 Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD), employing one teacher, opened its doors to nine students in the garage of John Murphey, Tucson builder and land developer. Attendance fluctuated over the next eight years between nine and seventeen students.
1939 John Murphey sold the district 2.2 acres of land on River Road for $10 with the stipulation that the land be used for a public school. River Road School, a two room school house, designed by architect Joseph T. Joesler and built by the W.P.A. was completed that fall.
1940 - 1967 River Road School met the needs of the Catalina Foothills community for many years. Student enrollment in grades 1 – 6 peaked in 1953 at 41students. Enrollment growth required the addition of a 7th grade in 1962 and an 8th grade in 1963.
1967 - 1974 Sunrise Drive School was completed and opened in 1967 for students in grades 1 – 3, as well as the district administrative office. Foothills students in grades 4 - 6 and grades 7 – 8 continued to attend River Road School, housed in the west and east wings, respectively.
1972 In honor of the man who envisioned a school for the Foothills, River Road School was renamed Murphey School. To accommodate increasing student numbers, administrative offices were moved from Sunrise Drive School into trailers across River Road.
1974 Orange Grove Road School, the district’s first junior high school opened to all students in grades 7 – 8. Students in grades K – 4 attended Sunrise Drive School and grades 5 – 6 continued at Murphey School.
1979 The need for another elementary school resulted in the opening of Manzanita Elementary School enrolling 500 students and Murphey School closed its doors. Students in grades K – 6 were now served in one of two elementary schools and grades 7 – 8 attended the one junior high. The following fall after eight years in trailers, administrative offices were moved across River Road to a newly renovated Murphey Administrative Center.
1987 As growth in the Foothills continued, Canyon View Elementary School opened on the eastern border of the district with an enrollment of 450.
1990 Eastern expansion continued with the opening of Esperero Canyon Middle School in the fall of 1990. Catalina Foothills students now filled three elementary schools and two middle schools. Lack of a district high school resulted in students attending Tucson or Amphitheater high schools. CFSD provided bus transportation and paid tuition for high school students. In November of 1990, voters approved a bond issue for construction of Catalina Foothills High School.
1993 Catalina Foothills High School opened for 9th and 10th grade students.
1994 A fourth elementary school, Ventana Vista Elementary School opened.
1996 Catalina Foothills High School held its' first graduation ceremony for the 258 members of the Class of 1996.
Today the Catalina Foothills School District includes a preschool, four elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. Proud of its history of excellence in education and its exemplary academic standards, the district is meeting the challenge of educating leaders for the 21st century. Up to the minute district information regarding current enrollment and programs is available at www.cfsd16.org.