- Highland Park Elementary
- Kindergarten
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In recent years, at Highland Park Elementary our K-3 students have been able to take part in an accelerated classroom experience. We are excited to announce that this will be extended to include K-6 students! Our staff, along with the help of district personnel, have worked to create a sustainable accelerated classroom option in our K-6 grade levels.
Enroll Today at Highland Park Elementary!
Kindergarten Events
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Kindergarten Kick-Off
Highland Park is hosting a Kindergarten Preview Night for incoming and prospective families on Thursday, April 13, at 5 pm. Families can gather information about curriculum/reading goals/how parents can support them at home or over the summer.
Kindergarten teachers will walk parents through a day in the life of an HPE kindergarten! Teachers will also talk about the accelerated program and kinder screeners.
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We are excited to welcome your kindergartner to Highland Park Elementary! To learn more about our school please take a look around our website and if you would like, please schedule a tour.
Accelerated Kindergarten
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What is Accelerated?
Accelerated refers specifically to K-6 Accelerated classrooms at five of our elementary schools: Highland Park, Meridian, Playa del Rey, Quartz Hill, and Val Vista Lakes. Math concepts are taught one grade level ahead, and ELA, Social Studies and Science are taught at grade level but at an accelerated rate with skills and concepts and a variety of approved materials that enrich the learning experience. Accelerated is designed to provide a challenging and supportive learning environment for students with strong academic abilities and motivation to learn. Placement in Accelerated is based on parent and student requests and teacher recommendations.
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What is Accelerated Kindergarten?
- Students dictate the pace of learning based on their knowledge before entering kindergarten and how quickly they master the concepts being taught.
- Students receive support from experienced, qualified, highly trained teachers and staff.
- Students gain opportunities to explore concepts and ideas in depth and to introduce first-grade concepts.
- Regular communication and partnership opportunities with parents to support student learning.
- Students start independent reading earlier than in a typical kindergarten class.
- Students experience opportunities for in-depth conversations about nonfiction topics being studied in the classroom.
- Teacher plans can be tailored to student's interests while adhering to state standards.
- The District offers accelerated learning and gifted pathways in Grades 1-12.
Accelerated Kindergarten is offered as an option at Highland Park Elementary!
Kindergarten Events Happening Now & You're Invited!
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All 26 elementary schools are hosting Kindergarten events to welcome new families and students onto our campuses, where you can meet the teachers, tour the school, and prepare for Kinder! Learn more about your local elementary and all of the different options available to you and your family throughout our district.
To find your local school, visit gilbertschools.net/boundaries
To learn about all the Kindergarten choices in our district click on the links below:
- 1/2 Day Kinder at Burk Elementary
- Spanish Dual Language Kinder at Gilbert Elementary
- Traditional Kinder at Canyon Rim, Neely Traditional Academy, and Spectrum
- Accelerated Kinder at Highland Park, Playa del Rey, Meridian, Quartz Hill, and Val Vista Lakes
To find out the dates of Kindergarten events, please visit the school website.
Kindergarten FAQs
Kindergarten Readiness Events for Families
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- Pave the Path for GPS Preschoolers - Children currently enrolled in a GPS preschool program at our elementary schools will participate in the ‘Pave the Path’ experience the week of March 27-31, allowing them a chance to spend time in a kindergarten classroom interacting with kindergarten students and teachers. If your student is currently in one of our preschool programs please look out for communications from your school.
- Kindergarten Readiness (Parent-only Event), April 12, 6pm to 8pm, Community Education - Parents of soon-to-be kindergartners can attend this GPS Parent University course on April 12 from 6pm to 8pm at our Community Education building. Parents will be taught some engaging, hands-on learning activities that they can replicate at home to help their children become successful members of a classroom community.
- PreK - All the Way! - This summer program supports families whose children are entering kindergarten and have never attended preschool. Children will follow a preschool routine, doing activities that support learning and the development of fine motor skills. Registration opens in the spring. Visit our website to learn more.
- Schedule a Tour - Please take the opportunity to schedule a tour at any of our elementary schools to learn more about their Kindergarten offerings, meet the Principal and teachers, and tour the campus.
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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.
Our 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.
- Convenient full-day and half-day Kindergarten options in a nurturing environment taught by certified and highly qualified teachers
- 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
- 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.
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Kindergarten Early Entrance Screening Information
Early Entrance Screenings will take place in June prior to the school year of registration, and be completed prior to 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.
- 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 cancellation 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:
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!
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:Visit our Health Services information for more information on immunizations.
