2026-2027 Campus Changes

Gilbert Public Schools is currently looking at school campus and boundary changes for the 2026-2027 school year in order to address enrollment issues that have occurred over time, the best way to maximize the use of our school buildings, and to ensure the district is being fiscally efficient and responsible.

The proposed campus changes for the 2026-2027 school year include:

Close Pioneer Elementary at the conclusion of the current school year (May 2026)
Expand the attendance boundaries of Carol Rae Ranch, Val Vista Lakes, and Harris Elementary schools to each include a portion of the current Pioneer attendance boundaries
A small change in attendance boundaries from Greenfield Junior High to Mesquite Junior High, located within a portion of the current Pioneer boundaries area

Four neighborhood community meetings will be held to address the proposed school campus changes. Each meeting will focus on the specific changes proposed to each school, as well as providing a complete overview of all proposed changes. At each meeting, once the comprehensive proposal is shared there will be multiple opportunities for attendees to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed school campus changes. If a community member is unable to attend any of the three meetings they can provide feedback and ask using the form link below.

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.

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.

Community Meetings:

Monday, November 17 @ 6pm at Pioneer Elementary
Wednesday, November 19 @ 6pm at Carol Rae Ranch Elementary
Thursday, November 20 @ 6pm at Val Vista Lakes Elementary
Monday, November 24 @ 6pm at Harris Elementary

Additional Meetings:

Tuesday, December 9 @ 6pm is a Governing Board Meeting in which the proposed changes will be reviewed. Public feedback and comments from the four community meetings will also be reviewed, summarized, and discussed. No formal action will be taken.
Tuesday, January 27 @ 6pm will be a Governing Board Meeting at which time the Board is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes.

Campus Changes Feedback Form

GPS continues to monitor Enrollment Management on a yearly basis. These proposed changes are to ensure educational accessibility for all students, space utilization, and being fiscally responsible.

Gilbert Public Schools

School Boundaries Maps

GPS Considerations for Enrollment Management Planning 2026-2027

Proposed 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.

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