Gilbert Public Schools


Gilbert Unified School District #41 , also known as Gilbert Public Schools , is a school district based in Gilbert, Arizona, United States in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The district is the 7th largest in Arizona, and serves over 34,000 students at 39 schools across Gilbert, Chandler, and Mesa, Arizona.
In 2018, the district was awarded "4th Best School District in America" by the and "Best Public School/District" in the Best of Gilbert 2018 issue of the East Valley Tribune. As of 2025, fifteen GPS schools have earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the . And all GPS schools have 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.

History

In 1900, the first school, in Gilbert, was built on the southwest corner of Baseline and Cooper Roads. This school was moved, in 1909, to the northeast corner of Guadalupe and Cooper Roads. It was named Highland because it was the highest land south of the Salt River. These schools were part of the Mesa Unified School District#4.
In 1913, with the completion of its first elementary school, the Gilbert School District #41 was formed. The new school was located on the corner of Elliot and Gilbert roads, and consisted of four classrooms, two offices, an auditorium and a full basement below the auditorium. In 1977, the building closed for classroom use and in 1982 it became the Gilbert Historical Museum.
In 1917, an election was held "for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a high school" in the recently formed Gilbert School District #41. Gilbert's first high school, Gilbert High School, opened in 1917 on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Elliot roads. The first graduating class, consisting of 4 graduates, was in 1918. Gilbert High School has since been relocated, and the original site is now the Gilbert Public Schools district administration building.
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, Arizona.

Schools

Schools in the district include: 26 elementary schools ; 6 junior high schools, 5 high schools, 2 Academies, 1 Global academy, and 1 Alternative Education.

High schools

Junior high schools

Elementary schools

(Enrollment 100th Day, 2018)

Source:
  • 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
  • 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 - Alternative Education
  • Distance Learning Online — 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.
  • Global Academy - opened August, 2011
  • Gilbert Classical Academy — opened August 2007; replacing the GPS Technology and Leadership Academy
  • Neely Traditional Academy —
  • Performance Academy at Mesquite Elementary
  • Traditional Program at Canyon Rim Elementary
  • Traditional Program at Spectrum Elementary

    Awards

  • The district was awarded "4th Best School District in America" by the in 2017 and 2018.
  • GPS has been voted "Best Public School/District" in the Best of the Best annual issues of the for 5 consecutive years since 2019.
  • Fifteen GPS schools have earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the as of spring 2025.
  • Neely Traditional Academy - is an elementary school in Gilbert, Arizona, United States. The school was opened in 1981, and became in 1999. Neely received the National Blue Ribbon School award in 2009 and 2023.