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Gilbert Public Schools K-12 International Baccalaureate Pathways for 2026/27 School Year

Tristan Chavez
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GILBERT, Ariz. (March 23, 2026) - Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) looks to the 2026/27 school year with excitement as the district prepares to offer a fully authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) pathway from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Following two years of intensive candidacy, Gilbert Accelerated Middle School (GAMS) is entering the final stages of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) authorization process, with official authorization expected in 2026. This achievement represents the formal recognition of the continuous IB learning journey that begins with the Primary Years Programme at Patterson Elementary and extends through the Diploma and Career-related Programmes at Gilbert High School, providing a seamless K-12 IB experience for GPS families. The IB Programme at Gilbert High was the first to receive authorization in 2020 and will be graduating its 5th class in May this year. The IB Primary Years Programme at Patterson Elementary followed, receiving its authorization in 2025. 

“In our IB programmes, every student’s natural curiosity is built upon as they progress to graduation,” says Meghan Gray, IB Coordinator at Gilbert High. “By the time our students reach high school, they aren't just starting something new; they are applying years of questioning things and thinking critically about their own research and career goals. We are ensuring that the way a student learns in kindergarten is the same way they find success as a graduate.”

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IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Patterson Elementary: Kindergarten - 6th Grade

The IB journey at GPS begins at Patterson Elementary, where the PYP builds on each students’ natural curiosity. In these classrooms, learning in subjects like math, science, or literacy is all connected through lines of inquiry to solve real-world problems. 

The Programme of Inquiry contains broad themes such as “Who We Are,” “How the World Works,” and “Sharing the Planet”. As students progress through each grade level, their learning in each theme deepens. For instance, in the “Who We Are” theme, a Kindergarten student may start by exploring their roles within a home and school community, while a Sixth Grade student investigates how human interactions develop complex cultural beliefs and customs. 

The approach also empowers students to take ownership of their education by setting their own goals and reflecting on their progress, while staff provide tailored support to ensure all Arizona state standards are met through personalized educational experiences.

IB is a hands-on style of learning that demonstrates measurable results. Patterson students are outperforming district averages on state ELA and Math assessments and maintain a 94.7% attendance rate. Because the curriculum focuses on developing the whole child through a Learner Profile, the school has also seen a 10.7% drop in behavior referrals this year alone, proving that students thrive when they are challenged and respected as thinkers.

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Middle Years Programs at Gilbert Accelerated Middle School & Gilbert High: 7-10th Grade

Students can continue their IB experience at GAMS in grades 7-8, where the IB Middle Years Programme encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. During these transitional years, the classroom experience deepens its approaches to learning, and students are explicitly taught the skills of self-management, research, and communication. Rather than just learning content, students learn how to learn - developing the organizational tools to manage their time and the critical thinking skills to analyze information for bias.

Courses at GAMS are designed to be rigorous and to push student thinking while being accessible to students of all backgrounds. The IB journey at GAMS challenges students to develop good habits in asking questions and applying their findings to global contexts. In every subject, from language acquisition to the sciences and performing arts, students explore how their classroom concepts impact society and the environment. Students then collaborate in community-focused projects where they identify a need in their community and develop a plan of action to address it. By treating students as owners of their own learning, GAMS prepares them to be responsible and engaged citizens who are prepared to enter high school.

9th and 10th grade students at Gilbert High School can also complete the IB MYP. These students can earn the MYP Completion Certificate by receiving high marks on criteria in at least 6 IB subject groups and by completing and presenting a personal research project on a topic of their choosing.

GAMS is located within Gilbert High School, and students benefit from high school teachers and access to high school performing arts opportunities like orchestra, choir, and band. GAMS students can also participate in four seasons of Junior High athletics, delivering a well-rounded learning experience.

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Diploma and Career-related Programmes at Gilbert High School: 11 - 12th Grade

The IB journey at GPS reaches the final stage at Gilbert High School, where students experience more personalized learning through the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-related Programme (CP). Here, the independence gained in earlier years allows students to tackle a workload that mirrors the depth of a university experience. Whether a student is writing a 4,000-word extended essay or earning professional certifications in agriscience and sports medicine through the Career-related track, they are operating at a level that matches one found in higher education.

“IB students at Gilbert High aren’t just students; they are researchers, writers, and future professionals,” added Meghan Gray. “By the time they graduate, they have already managed a workload and a level of intellect that most students don't encounter until their second or third year of college, all while being fully engaged and supported in our learning community.”

What distinguishes the Gilbert Public Schools IB pathway is its commitment to being both rigorous and accessible. The district uses a variety of methods for students to demonstrate mastery - such as oral presentations, creative portfolios, and collaborative projects - rather than solely relying on high-stakes testing. 

To learn more about International Baccalaureate at Patterson Elementary, Gilbert Accelerated Middle School, and Gilbert High, visit GilbertSchools.net/IB. To learn more about each school, schedule a tour at GilbertSchools.net/Tour.