Gilbert Public Schools
Public
Caption 2Seal of GPS
Address140 S. Gilbert Rd.
CityGilbert
StateArizona
CountyMaricopa
Zipcode85296
CountryUSA
Coordinates33.3524°N 111.7018°W
GradesPre K-12
Established1913[1]
SuperintendentShane McCord[2]
School board5 members
Governing agencyGilbert Public Schools Board
Schools39[3]
Free labelTeachers' unions
Free textArizona Education Association
Budget$293,190,000 (2016-17)[3]
Students34,335 (2018-2019)[3]
Teachers1,898.25 (2018-2019)[3]
Staff1,983.40 (2018-2019)[3]
Ratio18.09 (2018-2019)[3]
Websitewww.gilbertschools.net

Gilbert Unified School District #41 (GUSD), also known as Gilbert Public Schools (GPS), is a school district based in Gilbert, Arizona, United States, in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The 60.26-square mile (156.1-square kilometre) district is the 7th largest in Arizona, and serves over 34,000 students at 39 schools across Gilbert, Chandler, and Mesa.

In 2018, the district was named "4th Best School District in America" by the National Council for Home Safety and Security[4] and "Best Public School/District" in the "Best of Gilbert 2018" issue of the East Valley Tribune.[5][6] As of 2025, fifteen GPS schools have earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the Arizona Educational Foundation.[7] All GPS schools achieved either an 'A' or 'B' letter grade for the 23/24 school year, rating them as excellent or highly performing by the Arizona Department of Education.[8]

History

In 1900, the first school in Gilbert was built on the southwest corner of Baseline and Cooper roads.[1] This school was moved in 1909 to the northeast corner of Guadalupe and Cooper roads. It was named Highland because this was the highest land south of the Salt River.[1] It was part of the Mesa Unified School District #4.[1][9]

In 1913, with the completion of its first elementary school, Gilbert School District #41 was formed.[1] The new school was located on the corner of Elliot and Gilbert roads, and consisted of four classrooms, two offices, an auditorium, and a basement below the auditorium.[9] In 1977, the building closed for classroom use. In 1982, it became the Gilbert Historical Museum.[1][9]

In 1917, an election was held "for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a high school" in the recently formed Gilbert School District #41.[10] Gilbert's first high school, Gilbert High School, opened in 1917 on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Elliot roads.[11] The first graduating class, consisting of four graduates, was in 1918.[11] Gilbert High School has since been relocated, and the original site is now the Gilbert Public Schools district administration building.[11]

Since opening its first school in 1913, Gilbert Public Schools has grown to serve over 35,000 students at 40 schools across Gilbert, Chandler, and Mesa.[7]

Schools

Schools in the district include 26 elementary schools (Pre K–6); six junior high schools (7–8), five high schools (9–12), two academies, one global academy, and one alternative education school (7–12).[12]

High schools

NameCanyon ValleyCampo VerdeDesert RidgeGilbertHighlandMesquite
LocationMesaGilbertMesaGilbertGilbertGilbert
Opened2010200920021918,
1987 (current building)		19931998
ColorsPurple,
black		Dark green,
copper		Cardinal red,
black		Black,
gold		Teal,
black		Royal blue,
silver
MascotLionCoyoteJaguarTigerHawkWildcat
PrincipalAdam StrockTyler Dumas[13]Scott SmithLucas BlackburnBrian YeeShawn Lynch[14]
Athletic
conference[15]		N/A5A6A6A6A4A
Enrollment
(2018, 100th day)[16]		19852709205930461635
WebsiteOfficialOfficialOfficialOfficialOfficialOfficial

Junior high schools

NameDesert RidgeGreenfieldHighlandMesquiteSouth Valley
LocationMesaGilbertMesaGilbertGilbert
ColorsPurple,
teal,
black		Green,
gold		Maroon,
gold,
blue		Blue,
silver		Red,
white,
black
MascotRattlerGrizzlyHurricaneMustangSabercat
PrincipalEric CruzJodi Smith[17]Sean JonaitisKari CastroJonathan Schley
Feeder
for (HS)		Desert RidgeGilbert,
Highland		HighlandMesquite,
Gilbert		Campo Verde
Enrollment
(2018, 100th day)[16]		123490512169941013
WebsiteOfficialOfficialOfficialOfficialOfficial

Elementary schools

Enrollment on 100th day, 2018

Source:[16]

  • Ashland Ranch - 819
  • Augusta Ranch - 1019
  • Boulder Creek - 633
  • Burk - 382
  • Canyon Rim - 842
  • Carol Rae Ranch - 572
  • Finley Farms - 652
  • Gilbert Elementary - 527
  • Greenfield Elementary - 955
  • Harris - 460
  • Highland Park - 888
  • Islands - N/A
  • Meridian - 831
  • Mesquite - 599
  • Neely Traditional Academy - N/A[clarification needed]
  • Oak Tree - 580
  • Patterson - 601
  • Pioneer - 553
  • Playa del Rey - 460
  • Quartz Hill - 663
  • Settler's Point - 634
  • Sonoma Ranch - 476
  • Spectrum - 624
  • Superstition Springs - 714
  • Towne Meadows - 711
  • Val Vista Lakes - 539

Academies and alternative education

  • Canyon Valley School (grades 7-12) - alternative education (322 enrolled as of 100th day 2018)[16]
  • Distance Learning Online (grades 7-12) - Gilbert Public Schools offers its own online schooling program through its Distance Learning Center. Classes range from History to Physical Education. Gilbert accepts credits earned from major online schools, such as Primavera.[18]
  • Gilbert Classical Academy (grades 7-12) - opened August 2007, replacing the GPS Technology and Leadership Academy (526 enrolled as of 100th day 2018)[16]
  • Global Academy - opened August, 2011
  • Neely Traditional Academy (grades K-6; 779 enrolled as of 100th day 2018)[16]
  • Performance Academy at Mesquite Elementary (grades 4-8)
  • Traditional Program at Canyon Rim Elementary (grades K-6)
  • Traditional Program at Spectrum Elementary (grades K-6)

Awards

  • The district was named "4th Best School District in America" by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2017 and 2018.[5]
  • GPS has been voted "Best Public School/District" in the "Best of the Best" annual issues of the East Valley Tribune[19] for five consecutive years, starting in 2019.
  • Fifteen GPS schools had earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the Arizona Educational Foundation as of spring 2025.[7]
  • Neely Traditional Academy (grades K-6) is an elementary school in Gilbert. The school was opened in 1981, and became a traditional academy in 1999. Neely received the National Blue Ribbon School award in 2009 and 2023.[20][21][22]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Gilbert School District". hdsouth. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  2. ^ "Governing Board & Superintendent". Gilbert Public Schools District. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  3. ^ NCES
  4. ^ National Council for Home Safety and Security
  5. ^ "Best School Districts in America 2018". National Council for Home Safety and Security. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  6. ^ "Best Public School/District". East Valley Tribune. May 27, 2018. p. 52. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "Arizona Education Foundation A+ School of Excellence™". Arizona Education Foundation
  8. ^ Arizona Department of Education. "A-F School and LEA Letter Grades | State Board of Education". azsbe.az.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  9. ^ "Gilbert history: The 1st Gilbert Elementary School". azcentral. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  10. ^ Birdsall, Alice M. (1920). Report of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona, Volume 20. Bancroft-Whitney. p. 418.
  11. ^ "Gilbert High School graduates 100th class". azfamily. Retrieved Feb 9, 2019.
  12. ^ "School Listing / GPS Schools". gilbertschools. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  13. ^ "About CVHS / Our School". www.gilbertschools.net. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  14. ^ "About Mesquite High / Our School". www.gilbertschools.net. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  15. ^ 2011‐2012 2012‐2013 Conference Placement Archived July 24, 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Arizona Interscholastic Association, 2010-10-1
  16. ^ "Schools". www.gilbertschools.net. Archived 2019-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "About Greenfield Junior / Our School". www.gilbertschools.net. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  18. ^ "Primavera Online High School". Primaveratech.org. Retrieved 2011-10-19.
  19. ^ East Valley Tribune
  20. ^ Saunders, Diane (11 October 2009). "Jack Daley School named national Blue Ribbon School". Eastern Arizona Courier. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  21. ^ Gersema, Emily (6 November 2009). "Traditional school a big hit in Gilbert". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  22. ^ Gilbert Public Schools (2024-11-26). "Neely Traditional and Gilbert Classical Earn Top Rankings from U.S. News & World Report". neelytraditionalacademy.gilbertschools.net. Retrieved 2025-09-18.