2026-2027 Campus Changes

At the January 27, 2026 Governing Board meeting, the proposed campus changes for the 2026-2027 school year were approved. For Pioneer families, we want to ensure you are fully supported during this transition. As you are aware, this decision was based on changing enrollment across the district, including Pioneer being the smallest elementary school in the district for the past three years. This decision helps to ensure we can continue to give all of our students and families a high-standard of education while maximizing the use of our school buildings and ensuring the district is being fiscally responsible. The approval of these changes means that Pioneer Elementary will close at the end of this current school year on May 21, 2026.

Enrollment for 2026-2027

Our Pioneer students, families, and staff have always been and continue to be a very important part of our community. In the coming days, Pioneer Attendance Specialist Cheri Halford will reach out to each Pioneer family to ensure you know what school your child will attend for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year and answer questions you might have. If you live in the current Pioneer boundaries, you are officially boundaried for either Carol Rae Ranch, Harris, or Val Vista Lakes. If you are currently on open enrollment at Pioneer, Cheri will work with your family to find the best GPS school possible. All current Pioneer families may choose to open-enroll at any of our 25 elementary schools across the district. Once you have communicated with Cheri, she will work to ensure your student(s) are automatically enrolled at their new school for the upcoming 2026 - 2027 school year. For planning, staffing, and communication purposes, your family needs to let Cheri know which school they plan to attend by Wednesday, February 11. Once you are enrolled at your new school, you will begin to receive information in the coming weeks and months.

Pioneer Family Events

Additionally, we have created an informational event and open house for each of the three schools receiving Pioneer boundaries, designed to support you and your student(s) with this transition. We encourage your family to attend this event so you can get to know your student’s new school and start to make connections.

Carol Rae Ranch Elementary Informational Evening for Pioneer Families
- Thursday, February 26 at 5:00 pm at Carol Rae Ranch Elementary located at 3777 E. Houston Ave., Gilbert, AZ
Harris Elementary - Reach out to find a time to tour and learn more about Harris Elementary, located at 1820 S Harris Dr., Mesa, AZ
- Schedule A Tour at Harris Elementary
Val Vista Lakes Elementary Informational Evening for Pioneer Families
- Tuesday, March 3 at 5:00 pm at Val Vista Lakes Elementary, located at 1030 N. Blue Grotto Dr., Gilbert, AZ

Schedule a tour or time to talk to the principal/school personnel

If you are unable to attend the upcoming school event, you can also schedule a tour, where you can talk to the school principal and/or staff and get any questions answered. The contact information for the schools is below. School tours can also be scheduled by going to each school’s individual webpage.

Carol Rae Ranch Elementary - Phone: 480-507-1359, Principal: Mr. Chris Birgen
Harris Elementary - Phone: 480-545-7060, Principal: Mrs. Jenn Laserna
Val Vista Lakes Elementary - Phone: 480-926-6301, Principal: Mr. Patrick Miller

Academic SCILLS students

Families of current Academic SCILLS students at Pioneer were previously notified that the regional location for this specialized program for the upcoming school year will be Mesquite Elementary. Mesquite Elementary is hosting an Informational Event for the Academic SCILLS students and families on Wednesday, March 4, at 4:00 pm at the school located at 1000 E. Mesquite St, Gilbert, AZ. We will work to ensure your student’s enrollment is switched to Mesquite Elementary for this program.

As a reminder, it is important to note that as a district of choice, you can open-enroll your student(s) at any elementary school within the district. If you are interested in learning more about other elementary schools in GPS, please reach out directly to the school to schedule a tour. Find information on each of the 25 elementary schools, including signing up for a tour.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Pioneer Elementary team at 480-892-2022 or at pioneerinfo@gilbertschools.net. Additionally, you can contact our district office at 480-497-3344. We are committed to making this a smooth transition for all Pioneer families and staff. Thank you for being an important part of our GPS community and for your continued support!

School Boundaries Maps

School Changes for the 2026-2027 School Year Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these changes needed?

Enrollment Management has been reviewed annually since 2016. Enrollment Management looks at reviewing and addressing factors that influence GPS enrollment including boundaries, space utilization, and programs. Ensuring all students receive a high-quality education and ensuring the district is being fiscally responsible also are important factors. Utilizing the Enrollment Management process, in 2019-2020 some elementary, junior high and high school boundaries were changed to support changing enrollment trends and to better utilize our school campuses. In 2021, Houston Elementary was closed due to low enrollment. Neely Traditional Academy was moved from its former campus on Juniper Ave to the former Houston campus to better meet the needs of Neely. Currently, the district has identified some proposed changes for the 2026-2027 school year. 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.

There are several other small elementary schools in the district. Why was Pioneer chosen to close?

As you may be aware, Pioneer Elementary has been the smallest elementary in the district for the past three school years, with a current student enrollment of 268 students. There are currently two classrooms per grade level, and if projected enrollment losses continue, there soon could be just one classroom in one or more grade levels. This small enrollment is making it harder to ensure the district is continuing to provide the same level of high-quality education at Pioneer. Over time, with changing enrollment across the district, it is necessary to look at some changes in order to ensure we can continue to give all of our students and families a high-standard of education while maximizing the use of our school buildings and ensuring the district is being fiscally responsible.

What are the plans for the Pioneer site?

There are no immediate plans of what will become of the Pioneer campus and property. The site will still be secured and maintained by GPS until a decision has been made. There will be annual cost savings with the closing of the Pioneer building. Additionally, Pioneer is in need of building renovations within the next five years. The school has been open since 1984. As the building becomes older, there are capital needs in order to keep the campus up to date, safe and secure.

If these school changes are made, when would they become effective?

What school would current Pioneer students go to if the school is closed?

The boundaries of Carol Rae Ranch Elementary, Val Vista Lakes Elementary, and Harris Elementary would be changed to include the current Pioneer boundaries so Pioneer students would automatically be zoned for these schools. If these changes are approved, any Pioneer family including those families currently on open enrollment will have the opportunity to seek attendance at any GPS school for the 2026-2027 school year. Pioneer families will have the opportunity to visit and tour any GPS schools you might be interested in to ensure your student is at the best school for your family’s needs.

Why is there a proposed small boundary change from Greenfield Junior High to Mesquite Junior High?

Currently, the area of Val Vista Dr to Lindsay Rd and Baseline Rd to the US 60 freeway is zoned for Greenfield Junior High. With the elementary proposed boundary changes, this area is being zoned for Harris Elementary which feeds into Mesquite Junior High. Over the years, the district has continued to work on the entire boundaries of each elementary school feed into one junior high. This change will ensure the new Harris boundary all feeds into Mesquite Junior High.

If Pioneer closes, where does the current staff go?

The Office of Talent Management (OTM) and Administrative Services will work with Pioneer staff to find each staff member a position within Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) for the 2026-2027 school year. Pioneer staff will be given top priority on open positions. It is anticipated some additional teachers and support staff will be needed at Carol Rae Ranch, Harris, and Val Vista Lakes Elementary due to proposed boundary changes. Teachers and support staff will be needed at other campuses across GPS due to attrition (retirements and resignations). Once Pioneer families choose where their student(s) will be attending, in the spring it will allow the district to work with each Pioneer staff member to find a position based on projected enrollments for all GPS schools for 2026-2027.

What about Transportation?

Pioneer Elementary families living within the current Pioneer boundaries will have bus transportation provided to their zoned new school. Additionally, busing would be available for one school year, (2026-2027) to Greenfield Junior High in the area affected by the junior high boundary change, allowing current 7th grade students to finish their 8th grade year at Greenfield Junior High. Busing to Mesquite Junior High would be provided for the shift in boundaries from Greenfield Junior High to Mesquite Junior High, starting with the 2026-2027 school year.