School History

Isaac Preschool has been at its current location since 1989. At that time Isaac Preschool consisted of 4 Preschool classrooms with adult education for parents (Title 1 Even Start/Family Literacy). It was the first Title 1 Even Start Program in the Southwestern United States.

In November of 2001, Isaac Preschool was renamed, Bret Tarver Education Complex, in memory of a district firefighter, Bret Tarver/Engine 14, who lost his life fighting the first alarm fire at the Southwest Supermarket on 35 th Avenue and McDowell Rd.

The school is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and will be receiving an accreditation renewal visit by the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) in September 2009.

A blending of federal, state, district, and private funding sources support the instructional programs (adult and early childhood). The grants have specific requirements for eligibility. We are required to ensure that students are eligible for enrollment, and that parents are prepared to commit to an active partnership with the school.

The screening process (application and parent interview) provides us with the information needed to determine eligibility for the programs available. The “first come, first serve” basis does not apply. A wait list is kept for those children not initially accepted. You may view the federal and state grant information by visiting the Early Childhood link at the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) website.