A district Enrollment Management Planning Committee was established in 2016. The Committee was tasked with continually reviewing and addressing factors that influence GPS enrollment including boundaries, space utilization, and programs. A consultant has been employed to review district trends and predictions for future enrollment. For example, boundary changes were made two years ago. The proposed school changes have been discussed as schools in the western portion of the school district have continued to decline over the past ten years. These changes also help to ensure the district can continue to give all of our students and families a superior education while maximizing the use of our school buildings.

Houston for the past several years has been one of the smallest elementary schools in the district. Additionally, it has one of the lowest space utilizations due to the square footage of the building which is physically larger than other elementary school buildings in the area.

Neely Traditional Academy, a school with no boundaries, has continually been a popular choice amongst families who are wanting a Traditional curriculum and structure. Currently, the Neely Traditional Academy campus is over-utilized in terms of space utilization and has four portable buildings. Many years, there is a waiting list at some grade levels for additional students as it continually is one of the highest performing schools in GPS. The current Neely building has been identified as the elementary school needing some of the most upgrades in the district over the next five years, totaling over $3 million dollars. The Houston building would allow Neely Traditional to have a better facility and allow for a bit more growth.

Several options are currently being explored by the district. As soon as the district has a more definitive plan this will be shared. Even if the current Neely Traditional building is closed, the site will still be maintained by GPS until a decision has been made on what will happen to Neely. There are annual cost savings with closing Neely including personnel and utility savings. Additionally, Neely is needing over $3 million in building renovations within the next five years.

If approved these changes will become effective school year 2021-2022.

The Burk boundaries would be changed to include the current Houston boundaries so Houston students would automatically be zoned for Burk Elementary. Families will also have the choice to attend either Neely Traditional Academy which would be moved to the current Houston location. If the board approves these changes, in April/May Houston families will have the opportunity to learn more about the unique curriculum and structure of a traditional school before making a final decision on whether to attend Neely Traditional Academy or Burk Elementary for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Office of Talent Management (OTM) and Administrative Services will work with Houston staff to find each staff member a position within Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) for the 2021-2022 school year. It is anticipated some additional teachers and support staff will be needed at Burk Elementary due to some Houston students attending Burk. There also could be some additional positions needed at Neely Traditional Academy if some Houston families choose to attend Neely. The district also anticipates teachers and support staff will be needed at other campuses across GPS. Once Houston families choose where their student(s) will be attending it will allow the district to work with each Houston staff member to find a position.

Families currently living in the Houston school boundaries would have busing provided if they live more than a mile away from Burk Elementary. A crossing guard would be stationed at the traffic light at the intersection of Burk St. and Guadalupe Rd. to assist students walking or riding a bike to and from Burk Elementary. Neely Traditional would continue to have regional bus stops across certain portions of the district.

Neely Traditional Academy is a non-boundaried school that develops a solid foundation of fundamental and higher-level thinking skills through a structured curriculum that is consistent with each grade level and sequential throughout the grades. Neely Traditional has been such a popular model that Spectrum and Canyon Rim Elementary schools both started to offer a Traditional program at each of their campuses to meet the demand for a traditional focus. The kindergarten through sixth-grade curriculum is taught using direct teaching techniques, whole-class instruction, small group instruction and has minimal disruptions for non-curricular programs/activities. The phonics-based Spalding method is the foundation for the language arts curriculum. The Saxon math program is advanced one grade level at all grad levels allowing for acceleration. Typically the classroom is set up with rows of desks facing the front of the room.

For more information on Traditional academies go to the following links:

- Neely Traditional Academy Student Handbook

- GPS Traditional Academies Student Handbook