Tarpey Elementary

Tarpey Spartans logo showcasing strong lettering and a vibrant design symbolizing unity and athletic spirit.

History of Tarpey Elementary

(Excerpted from 50 Unified Years: Building a Tradition of Excellence in Clovis Unified Before, During, and After Unification)

"In the mid-1950s, with the opening of the area's new North American Aircraft plant just south of downtown Clovis, Jefferson Union Elementary District found itself facing a population boom. To accommodate the growing number of new students crowding Jefferson Elementary, the district built a second elementary school in 1958.

The New School, which opened for the 1958-59 school year, was dedicated on October 23, 1958. It was names after Malcolm F. Tarpey, and Irish immigrant who initially failed in silver mining, but later established a successful rand in the Clovis area circa 1880, a portion of which later became the site of the new school. Tarpey later became president of the Fresno irrigation District. The school shares its name with an earlier train depot and Tarpey Village, the school's surrounding neighborhood.

Tarpey Elementary started out with two classroom wings to serve students in kindergarten through fourth grade, with another two wings, the library and administrative building added the following year. At the time, the school had 10 classrooms; today it has 36."

Goals

The mission of Tarpey Elementary School is to provide an excellent education to a diverse community through exemplary programs, services, and activities. Our goal is to foster a lifelong commitment to academic and character development, to help each student develop in mind, body, and spirit, and enable them to realize their potential as contributing members of society.

Tarpey Elementary Belief Statements

We believe that all students can learn

We believe that a child's right to an education is non-negotiable.
We believe that all students have the right to a safe, clean and nurturing environment that promotes enthusiasm and challenging instruction and encourages active participation in the learning process.
We believe that every parent, in order to fulfill their responsibility to their children's education, should feel welcome and be encouraged to participate in Tarpey's academic and extracurricular activities.
We believe that students who are self-disciplined, self motivated, and literate will become life-long learners and productive members of society.
We believe students should make wise and healthy choices in all areas with the understanding that they are accountable for their actions.
We believe that all members of the Tarpey community (students, parents, teachers, and staff) have the right to be treated with respect and fairness at all times.
We believe all students should be encouraged to participate and achieve success through involvement in school activities.