Meet Our Principal
I am so honored to lead this amazing learning community. As an Iowa City native, I understand the importance of supporting our young scholars and future community members academically, socially, and behaviorally. Alexander Falcons are all about respect, relationships, responsibility and pride. I am confident that every educator and staff member in our school believes in the success of each and every Falcon, every day!
I cannot wait to continue building strong relationships within our Alexander community – stop in to see and feel our joyful learning environment in action, and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Katie Thompson, Principal
Our School
About Alexander Elementary
Welcome to Archibald A. Alexander Elementary School. Alexander Elementary is a vibrant school community serving Iowa City's southeast neighborhoods. We are a community dedicated to the relentless pursuit of educational excellence, equity and empowerment for every Falcon, every day.
Archibald Alexander is filled with a strong learning community with many traditions and family engagement opportunities. Parents can participate in our PTO, conferences, classroom engagements, family nights, and many other school activities.
Respect, responsibility, relationships and pride. We have Falcon Focus that we just can’t hide! Please stop by to see our learning community at Archibald A. Alexander Elementary and feel our Falcon pride!
About Archibald Alexander
After enrolling at the University of Iowa, Archibald joined the football team, where he was a three-year starting tackle and earned the nickname "Alexander the Great." After graduating from the University of Iowa’s engineering program, he continued his studies and received his civil engineering degree from Iowa State University in 1925.
After graduating, Alexander worked as a foreman for Marsh Engineering Company before forming his own engineering company at the age of 26. He and his company partners built freeways and apartments, airfields, sewage systems, power plants and trestles. With his business partner, George Higbee, Alexander designed the Tuskegee Airfield and the University of Iowa central heating plant, its power plant, and a major steam tunnel beneath the Iowa River.
In 1934, Alexander was appointed as one of a 12-member commission to investigate the social and economic conditions in Haiti. In 1946, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering by Howard University. A final and interesting accomplishment in 1954, Alexander was appointed Governor of the United States Virgin Islands by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.