Harris Elementary School history

His career began when he joined Captain Carl Hayden's Company "C", First Arizona Infantry, in Tempe on July 3, 1903.

After service in the 7th Cavalry during the Spanish-American War, Harris rose rapidly in ranks of the First Arizona Infantry to be appointed Adjutant General of Arizona by Govenor Hunt on July 3, 1912, shortly after statehood.

He was also director of Selective Service during World War I. General Harris died in Los Angeles, CA on August 4, 1929.

When B.B. Harris Elementary School opened in the fall of 1966, it was considered to be one of the most contemporary and modern facilities in the state.

Harris Elementary was built in 1968 and is an academy community that emphasizes core academic and character education.

As the community began to grow, more classroom space was needed, and the fifth graders were relocated to Duluth Middle School in 1979.

They remained there until 1983, when a major rezoning to a newly built Berkeley Lake Elementary provided necessary classrooms at Harris for these older students.

Additional construction in 1986 eliminated the remaining open spaces that were so popular in the late 60’s.

During the second half of the 1988-89 school year, 930 Harris Elementary students were moved to the newly built, Chattahoochee Elementary School.

In August of 1989, Harris “reopened” with 27 classrooms in the new addition and larger classrooms, media center, and cafeteria in the original renovated building.

In September of 2001, after the passage of a 6 million dollar bond, the original Harris School was demolished to make way for the existing facility.