- Gilbert Public Schools
- Amanecer Developmental Preschool

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Amanecer Developmental Preschool is a play-based program aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards with a focus on critical thinking skills and social-emotional development.
Amanecer Preschool is for families with 3-5-year-olds and is offered at most GPS elementary schools three or four days per week.
This play-based program is aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards, with a focus on critical thinking skills and social/emotional development. Thematic units are explored by students using a variety of learning styles and modalities, which in turn, ignites curiosity and encourages sustained attention. The program is supplemented using Handwriting without Tears and Creative Curriculum intentional learning materials. Typically developing peers and those with developmental delays work together and grow in one inclusive environment. Instruction is individualized based upon ongoing progress monitoring (Teaching Strategies GOLD) so the teacher knows what a child knows and what they are ready to learn next. GOLD is an authentic, ongoing observational system for assessing children from birth through Kindergarten. It helps teachers observe children in the context of everyday experiences, which is an effective way to learn what they know and can do.
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Preschool Screening: Early Intervention & Developmental Delays Information
If you are concerned with your child's development and live in the Gilbert Public School boundaries, we offer free screenings, by appointment only.
Gilbert Public Schools provides early intervention/special education services to 3 to 5-year-old children with qualifying developmental delays in the following areas: motor, social, speech/language, cognitive or adaptive behavior development. Eligibility is determined through formal assessment procedures.
Special Education Preschool Eligibility Process
- The process is initiated at the Special Education District Preschool Office (Building A at district complex).
- Weekly Child Find screenings are held by appointment only.
- If screening results indicate the need for an evaluation, the district will conduct the evaluation (screening location map).
- If the student is determined eligible under the Arizona Department of Education guidelines, an IEP is developed and the student will be offered district preschool IEP services.
- To begin the referral process you will need to bring your child's original birth certificate, a current gas/water/electric bill in parent's name, a current picture of your child, and the Preschool Screening Application to the Preschool Office. Applications are also available to be filled out in the Preschool Office. Print a screening application (pdf), or you can fill the application out when you arrive at the office.
- In addition, the online district pre-enrollment process must be completed before arriving at the Preschool Office to schedule the screening. Please Note: Enter the child during the online enrollment as an "enrolling student" & "GPS Holding" as the campus.
- If there are any court orders or custody papers pertaining to this child, please bring when scheduling screening so they may be copied and included in the file.
***All days, times and location are subject to change.***
If you live within the Gilbert Public School district boundaries and have additional questions, please contact the Preschool Office at 480-497-3471.
This screening process is initiated at the Special Education district preschool office located at:
Gilbert Public Schools District
140 S. Gilbert Rd. Bldg A
Gilbert, Arizona 85296Phone:480-497-3461
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am- 4 pm
Closed Friday During Summer
Tuition Information
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If you have concerns about your child's development, do not enroll your child as a tuition student at this time, but instead follow the instructions for the preschool screening process above. Please call 480-497-3461 with any questions.
Registration & Tuition Fees
Registration Fee: $50.00/year
Tuition Options:
- Tuition is $220.00 each month for 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), 2 ½ hours per day
- Tuition is $270 each month for 4 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), 2 ½ hours per day
Registration fees and 1st-month tuition are due at registration and are both non-refundable.
Amanecer Preschool - New Family Registration
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If your family is new to Gilbert Public Schools, and you do not currently have any students enrolled at any of our schools, please begin the enrollment process with New Family Registration.
Amanecer Preschool - Existing Family Registration & Payments
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If you have already registered a student in an Amanecer or Kindergarten Prep Preschool within the last 2 years, please submit your registration and payments using your existing account. Once logged in, click the registration tab to register for a class.
Amanecer Preschool Parent Handbooks
Learn More About Amanecer Developmental Preschool
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Amanecer preschool provides opportunities for your child to:
- Develop an enjoyment for learning
- Explore and investigate for deeper knowledge
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Receive instruction from a certified teacher with the assistance of trained paraprofessionals
- Build friendships with a variety of peers
- Develop creativity
- Learn how to be part of a classroom community
- Receive individualized instruction informed by rigorous on-going progress monitoring data analysis
- Build social-emotional competence
- Build communication skills
- Develop fine and gross motor physical skills
- Develop pre-academic knowledge and skills
- Engage in purposeful and productive play experiences that foster memory development, symbolic thinking, positive approaches to learning, positive social and language skills, math skills, and self-regulation instruction.
- The Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multi-sensory tools and strategies for your classroom. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning.
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is based on five fundamental principles. They guide practice and help us understand the reasons for intentionally setting up and operating preschool programs in particular ways. These are the principles:
- Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning
- Social-emotional competence is a significant factor in school success.
- Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
- The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
- Teacher–family partnerships promote development and learning.
- Our instruction is aligned to the Arizona Early Learning State Standards developed by the Arizona Department of Education.
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Contact Gilbert Public Schools Community Education Office
480-892-9089 ext. 100
Email: communityedbusinessdept@gilbertschools.net
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–4:30 pm & Friday 8:00 am–12:00 pm (closed Fridays in June/July)
Note: Gilbert Public Schools Community Education Department has computer terminals available to use at our office at 6839 East Guadalupe Road in Mesa, Arizona, for preschool enrollment for families without online access.
Amanecer Preschool by School Location
School | Address | Session Time(s) |
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Ashland Ranch Elementary | 1945 S. Ashland Ranch, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Augusta Ranch Elementary | 9430 E. Neville Ave, Mesa, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Boulder Creek Elementary | 8045 E. Portobello, Mesa, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Burk Elementary | 545 N. Burk Street, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Canyon Rim Elementary | 3045 S. Canyon Rim, Mesa, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Carol Rae Elementary | 3777 E. Houston Avenue, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Gilbert Elementary | 175 W. Elliot Rd., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Greenfield Elementary | 2550 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Harris Elementary | 1820 S. Harris Dr., Mesa, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Highland Park Elementary | 230 N. Cole Dr., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Houston Elementary | 500 E. Houston Ave., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Islands Elementary | 245 McQueen Road, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Meridian Elementary | 3900 S. Mountain Rd., Mesa, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Mesquite Elementary | 1000 E. Mesquite Rd., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Oak Tree Elementary | 505 W. Houston Ave., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Patterson Elementary | 1211 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Pioneer Elementary | 1535 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Playa del Rey Elementary | 550 N. Horne St., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Quartz Hill Elementary | 3680 S. Quartz Street, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Settler's Point Elementary | 423 E. Settlers Point Dr., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Sonoma Ranch Elementary | 601 N. Key Biscayne Drive, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Spectrum Elementary | 2846 S. Spectrum Way, Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Superstition Springs Elementary | 7125 E. Monterey Avenue, Mesa, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Towne Meadows Elementary | 1101 N. Recker Rd., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |
Val Vista Lakes Elementary | 1030 N. Blue Grotto Dr., Gilbert, AZ | AM Session 8:15–10:45 am, PM Session 11:30 am–2:00 pm |