# Gilbert Public Schools

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 km$^2$) 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 National Council for Home Safety and Security and "Best Public School/District" in the Best of Gilbert 2018 issue of the East Valley Tribune. As of spring 2019, thirteen GPS schools have earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the Arizona Educational Foundation.

## 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 (Pre K-6); 6 junior high schools (7-8), 5 high schools (9-12), 2 Academies, 1 Global academy, and 1 Alternative Education (7-12).

### High schools

| Name | Canyon Valley | Campo Verde | Desert Ridge | Gilbert | Highland | Mesquite |
| Location | Mesa | Gilbert | Mesa | Gilbert | Gilbert | Gilbert |
| Opened | 2010 | 2009 | 2002 | 1918, 1987 (current building) | 1993 | 1998 |
| Colors | Purple, black | Dark green, copper | Cardinal red, black | Black, gold | Teal, black | Royal blue, silver |
| Mascot | Lion | Coyote | Jaguar | Tiger | Hawk | Wildcat |
| Principal | Chad Fitzgerald | Tyler Dumas | DJ Spetz | Brian Winter | Brian Yee | Shawn Lynch |
| Athletic conference | N/A | 5A | 6A | 6A | 6A | 4A |
| Enrollment (2018, 100th Day) | | 1985 | 2709 | 2059 | 3046 | 1635 |
| Website(s) | Official | Official | Official | Official | Official | Official |

### Junior high schools

| Name | Desert Ridge | Greenfield | Highland | Mesquite | South Valley |
| Location | Mesa | Gilbert | Mesa | Gilbert | Gilbert |
| Colors | Purple, teal, black | Green, gold | Maroon, gold, blue | Blue, silver | Red, white, black |
| Mascot | Rattler | Grizzly | Hurricane | Mustang | Sabercat |
| Principal | Jean Woods | Jodi Smith | Sean Jonaitis | Dan Johnson | Tyler Dumas |
| Feeder for (HS) | Desert Ridge | Gilbert, Highland | Highland | Mesquite, Gilbert | Campo Verde |
| Enrollment (2018, 100th Day) | 1234 | 905 | 1216 | 994 | 1013 |
| Website(s) | Official | Official | Official | Official | Official |

### 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
* Houston - 395
* Islands - N/A
* Meridian - 831
* Mesquite - 599
* 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 9-12) - Alternative Education (322 enrolled as of 100th Day 2018)
* 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.
* Global Academy - opened August, 2011
* Gilbert Classical Academy (Grades 7-12) — opened August 2007; replacing the GPS Technology and Leadership Academy (526 enrolled as of 100th Day 2018)
* Neely Traditional Academy (Grades K-6) — also known as Neely Elementary (779 enrolled as of 100th Day 2018)
* 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 awarded "4th Best School District in America" by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2017 and 2018.
* GPS was voted "Best Public School/District" in the Best of Gilbert annual issues of the East Valley Tribune in 2017 and 2018. The runners up were Chandler Unified School District and Higley Unified School District.
* Thirteen GPS schools have earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the Arizona Educational Foundation as of spring 2019.
* Playa del Rey Elementary School (Grades K-6) - opened in 1994. April 2011 was the second time the school has received the A+ 'School of Excellence' award. The Principal Robyn Conrad was named Arizona's principal of the year in October 2010.
* Neely Traditional Academy (Grades K-6) - is an elementary school in Gilbert, Arizona, United States. The school was opened in 1981, and became a traditional academy in 1999. Neely received the National Blue Ribbon School award in 2009.