Alicia Reyes Elementary School opened in 1990. The mascot was chosen to be a Thunderbird, a powerful symbol throughout Native American cultures. The school site was chosen for its prime location near growing areas of Merced. The name of the school was in memory of Alicia Reyes. There is a portrait of Alicia Reyes and a commemorative plaque for the school in the multipurpose room. The first principal was Mr.Hodges. The design of the school was modern and the attention to detail was excellent. After only a few short years the school quickly grew and more space had to be made to accommodate increasing enrollment. The expansion came in the form of portable classrooms. The school also saw a change with the addition of a preschool program, technology and special learning programs. In August of 2019, Dr. Pirtle began leading the school. He is enjoying working as a team to increase scholar achievement while keeping scholars safe.
