Gilbert Public Schools Kindergarten Program Highlights

We are excited to welcome our Kindergarten students and their families!  Please read on for helpful information and resources.

We offer tuition-free, full-day Kindergarten programs at all of our 26 elementary schools, half-day morning Kindergarten at Burk, Accelerated Kindergarten at Highland Park, Meridian, Playa del Rey, Quartz Hill, and Val Vista Lakes, Dual-Language Spanish Kindergarten at Gilbert Elementary, and Traditional Kindergarten at Canyon Rim, Neely Traditional, and Spectrum.

All GPS Kindergarten students enjoy a challenging and comprehensive curriculum designed to provide the individualized attention they need to thrive while developing a lifelong love for learning.

• Rigorous instruction in core academic areas that address the Arizona state standards in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies
• Rich opportunities that promote positive social skills and character development within a structured learning environment
• Recognized educational excellence and consistency in achieving high scores on statewide assessments
• Well-defined and tailored curriculum with high-quality academic programs and extra-curricular activities to meet your student’s needs and strengths, including music, artistic expression, and physical education for the enrichment of the whole child
• Gilbert Public Schools Special Education Kindergarten programs provide quality early education for children with special needs.

We offer tuition-free, full-day Kindergarten programs at all of our 26 elementary schools, half-day morning Kindergarten at Burk, Accelerated Kindergarten at Highland Park, Meridian, Playa del Rey, Quartz Hill, and Val Vista Lakes, Dual-Language Spanish Kindergarten at Gilbert Elementary, and Traditional Kindergarten at Canyon Rim, Neely Traditional, and Spectrum.

• Dual Language Spanish Kindergarten option at Gilbert Elementary
• Half-day (morning) Kindergarten option at Burk Elementary
• Five Accelerated Kindergarten options at Highland Park Elementary, Meridian Elementary, Playa del Rey Elementary, Quartz Hill Elementary, and Val Vista Elementary.
• Three Traditional Academies (K–6) options including Neely Traditional Academy, Canyon Rim Elementary, & Spectrum Elementary

Kindergarten Early Entrance Screening Information

Early Entrance Screenings will take place in June before the school year of registration, and be completed before the first day of school. Early Entrance Screening will not be available once school has begun. 

Early Entrance Screening Handbook

 

Online Early Entrance Screening Registration Instructions:

• All screening registrations must be submitted online.  Registration opens for the 2024/25 school year in May.
• A non-refundable $90.00 fee will be collected at the time of registration and may be paid using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card. Once registration is completed, a confirmation will be sent via email indicating the date, appointment time, and location for your child’s screening. Please download and read the Early Entrance Screening Handbook before your appointment.
• Screening sessions are subject to cancelation if minimum enrollment is not met.
• Registering online for screening does not in any way guarantee enrollment into kindergarten.
• Face coverings are optional.
• Only one adult may accompany each child registered for a screening. No other children are allowed at this time.

Screening Registration is completed online via Community Education's online system, Eleyo:

Screening Registration - Not yet open for 2024/25 School Year

 

Questions about registration or payment?
Call the Community Education Department at 480-892-9089 prior to kindergarten screening registration, during business hours.

Questions about details concerning the screening or the process?
Call the Curriculum Department prior to kindergarten screening registration or your appointment at 480-497-3470 during regular business hours.

Kindergarten Enrollment Steps & Information

To enroll a student in your local neighborhood Gilbert Public School for the upcoming school year, please follow these instructions to complete online enrollment.

Gilbert Public Schools is an open enrollment district, therefore if you are interested in having your child attend Kindergarten at a school that is not your neighborhood school it is easy to apply through our online open enrollment. If you are not sure which school is your neighborhood school, please view the GPS school boundaries.

Visit our Online Enrollment Information Center to learn more and enroll today! 

 

Enroll a Student

 

Kindergarten Age Guidelines

To register for kindergarten for the upcoming school year, children must turn 5-years-old prior to September 1st. Children who turn 5-years-old between September 1st and December 31st may be assessed kindergarten readiness through an early entrance screening to determine qualification for early entrance into kindergarten. Special Education kindergarten transition is available for special needs students.

Kindergarten Immunization Requirements

Arizona Law requires that students entering Kindergarten have the following vaccines:

• 5 doses of DTap, DTP, or DT
• 4 doses of Polio (IPV)
• 3 doses Hepatitis B
• 2 doses MMR
• 1 dose Varicella* (*2 doses recommended by the CDC for full protection)

Where to Get Vaccinated: 

If your insurance covers immunizations:

• Visit your healthcare provider
• Maricopa County Immunization Clinics 

If you don’t have insurance, your insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, are on AHCCCS, are
Native American or Alaska Native:

• Maricopa County Immunization Clinics
• Dignity Health Community Wellness
• Mesa Fire Department Clinics

Visit our Health Services information for more information on immunizations.