Renato R. Lopez Elementary School was named in honor of the late Renato R. Lopez, Mayor of Mandaluyong (1972 - 1980), the son of former Mayor Isaac Lopez (1935 – 1939). It was established in a 2,009 sq. meter lot situated in J. P. Rizal St., Brgy. Mabini – J. Rizal.

The first school building was a two-storey eight-classroom building, completed in July 1991 with a total cost of 4.6 million pesos during the term of Mayor Benjamin S. Abalos through the Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) of Senator Neptali A. Gonzales. However, for more than two years after construction it was never used by the school due to the occupancy of fire victims from Villarica and Abella’s Compound.

In June 1994, the first head teacher assigned to open RLES was Mrs. Rosalinda G. Ojeda followed by Ms. Josefina A. Anselmo in July, despite the resistance of informal settlers to vacate the rooms, the school eventually became functional and free from in September of the same year. During the administration of Mrs. Anita R. Valentin with strong courage and determination the school was taken back with the proper coordination from the support of then Barangay Chairman Emiliano Mirador.

The school was finally opened on September 1, 1994, which started with only two (2) teachers, Ms. Salvacion M. Onday and Ms. Jovy D. Balbuena. An addition of three (3) teachers were stationed by the Division Office namely: Mrs. Lydia V. Morito, Mrs. Myrisia M. Salo and Ms. Normalyn F. Faigao. The eighty-seven (87) pioneer pupils all came from Mandaluyong Elementary School who were residents of Barangay Mabini – J. Rizal.

Mrs. Gregoria L. Ignacio served as the Head Teacher from 1995-1996 where two (2) more teachers were assigned. Mrs. Wilhelmina O. Bautista succeed Mrs. Ignacio from 1996-1998. During her term, another teacher is assigned to the school and a Neptali Gonzales-Type Building with two (2) storey-six (6) classrooms was also built. Dr. Josefina S. Espeso became the head teacher of the school from 1998 until 2000 followed by Mrs. Whelma M. Hilario from 2000 to 2001.

Mrs. Emma G. Arrubio became the head teacher of RLES from 2001until 2003. The following year, she was succeeded by Mr. Romeo E. Bandal and became the first male head teacher who served from 2003 to 2006 until his transfer to a bigger school. Dr. Josefina S. Espeso, the head teacher of Amado T. Reyes Elementary School was transferred back to RLES as Teacher-In-Charge for three (3) months (June-August, 2006) until Dr. Imelda O. Garcia was assigned as the new head teacher from 2006 until October, 2008. Dr. Veneranda A. Raz, the District Supervisor, also acted as Officer-In-Charge of the school from November 2008 up to January, 2009 when Dr. Garcia was transferred to another school.

On February 2009, Ms. Jovy D. Balbuena, one of the pioneer teachers of RLES, became the Teacher-In-Charge (TIC) of the school. She was promoted in June 2010 as Head Teacher III, which led to the extension of her term for another three (3) years until July 2013 when she was given the chance to serve as the Division Coordinator for the Alternative Learning System (ALS). Dr. Elizabeth A. Reyes was assigned as the school head from July 9, 2013, to June 8, 2015, until her transfer to another station. Mrs. Emma G. Arrubio, Chief of School Governance and Operation Division (SGOD) assumed Officer-In-Charge of the office of school head until September 2017. Mrs. Arrubio was succeeded by Mrs. Jocelyn N. Tamayo, a former Master Teacher and Assistant to the Principal of Eulogio Rodriguez Integrated School (ERIS), was designated as Teacher-In-Charge from September 13, 2017, to November 5, 2018, who instituted various plans, programs, and projects for the betterment of school. Mrs. Tamayo was followed by Mr. Ramilo P. Pascual, Assistant School Principal II for Senior High School of ERIS became the Teacher-in-Charge and later as Principal I from November 5, 2018, to October 19, 2020. Mr. Pascual spearheaded the project to retrace the history of the school and made efforts for the meaningful celebration of its 25th Founding Anniversary. He also initiated the creation of the bust of Mayor Renato R. Lopez with the help of the teachers, GPTA officers, Barangay Officials, and through the benevolence of the very supportive then Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” A. Abalos. The bust was unveiled on September 30, 2019, which served as a lasting remembrance of the founding of RLES.

Mrs. Elizabeth E. Catibog, a Master Teacher from Mandaluyong Elementary School (MES) was designated as Teacher-In-Charge from October 19, 2020, up to August 2, 2022. Despite the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Catibog led the school and continued its operation to serve the teachers, learners, and non-teaching personnel through the implementation of the blended learning modality such as the use of Digitized and Printed Learning Modules, and the utilization of the various electronic applications such as the Messenger App and Google Meet among others. Mrs. Catibog also piloted the In-person classes which served as the benchmark for the gradual implementation of in-person classes in the division of Mandaluyong. It was also during her term as TIC that four (4) teachers participated in the online Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Program (KPTEP) sponsored by the Korean government. She also brought major stakeholders into the school such as the Rotary Club of Makati-Olympia (RCMO) and the Quanta Paper Corporation for the different feeding programs for the learners. An Administrative Officer II was also added to the non-teaching personnel of the school.

At present, RLES is headed by Mr. Christopher R. Viernes, a former Master Teacher I of Pedro P. Cruz Elementary School, and Assistant Principal II-SHS of Mandaluyong High School as the Teacher-In-Charge. There are seventeen (17) teachers, ten (10) school guards, four (4) utility personnel, one (1) Administrative Officer II and a total of four hundred thirty-eight (438) pupils from kindergarten to Grade 6. On March 6, 2023, Mr. Viernes led the transfer of all RLES teachers and learners to Mandaluyong Elementary School as the temporary place to continue education due to the demolition of the old Abalos Building to make way for the construction of the new school building and covered court. The school received numerous awards such as the Zero Drop Out Rate SY 2021-2022, the 3-Star Awards for WINS implementation, Certificate of Recognition for 100% MOOE Utilization in 2022, and garnering other awards from different Division-wide competitions. RLES is also one of the 4 schools to implement the in-person classes for SY 2022-2023.

Established in an environment-friendly area, secured and safe community and accessible location for all types of transportation, together with the very supportive School Parent-Teacher Association and LGU officials, competent teaching force, and dependable non-teaching personnel, Renato R. Lopez Elementary School will continue to be a learner-centered public institution whose aim is to produce God-fearing, nationalistic, nature-loving and competitive learners with skills, knowledge and abilities needed for nation-building.

Renato R. Lopez Elementary School is located at  J.P. Rizal St., Brgy. Mabini - J. Rizal, Mandaluyong City, beside Mabini-J.Rizal Barangay Hall.