| Gilbert Public Schools | |
| Address: | 140 S. Gilbert Rd. |
| Zipcode: | 85296 |
| Country: | USA |
| Coordinates: | 33.3524°N -111.7018°W |
| Motto: | Technology. Scholarship. Innovation. |
| Established: | 1913[1] |
| Superintendent: | Dr. Shane McCord[2] |
| School Board: | 5 members |
| Chair Of The Board: | Dr. J. Charles Santa Cruz |
| Governing Agency: | Gilbert Public Schools Board |
| Schools: | 39 |
| Free Label: | Teachers' unions |
| Free Text: | Arizona Education Association |
| Budget: | $293,190,000 (2016-17) |
| Students: | 34,335 (2018-2019) |
| Teachers: | 1,898.25 (2018-2019) |
| Staff: | 1,983.40 (2018-2019) |
| Ratio: | 18.09 (2018-2019) |
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 60.26sqmi 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.[3] [4] As of spring 2019, thirteen GPS schools have earned the "A+ School of Excellence™ Award" from the Arizona Educational Foundation.[5]
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.[6] [7]
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.[8] Gilbert's first high school, Gilbert High School, opened in 1917 on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Elliot roads.[9] 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 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).[10]
| 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[11] | DJ Spetz | Brian Winter | Brian Yee | Shawn Lynch[12] | |
| Athletic conference[13] | N/A | 5A | 6A | 6A | 6A | 4A | |
| Enrollment (2018, 100th Day) | 1985 | 2709 | 2059 | 3046 | 1635 | ||
| Website(s) | Official | Official | Official | Official | Official | Official |
| 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[14] | 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 |
Source:[15]