Academic Programs
We offer an extensive range of academic opportunities designed to meet the needs of every student. Our junior highs and high schools, all deliver academic excellence with a wide variety of programs, high-quality certified teachers, and a commitment to inspiring excellence in every learner every day.
Advanced Placement & Honors
Gilbert Public Schools promotes rigor for all students and offers both Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Our goal in GPS is to support students in these courses, encourage persistence, and prepare them for the challenges of post-secondary education. Students choosing to take Honors and AP courses will commit to the course for a minimum of 4.5 weeks. If a level change is needed, changes are permissible between the 4.5-week and 9-week grading periods.
Career & Technical Education
CTE programs are available at each of our five comprehensive high schools. Through enrollment in these programs, students can explore a number of areas of occupational interest (career clusters) and pursue a career focus in-depth while completing their high school diploma.
Collaborative Credit
Information regarding alternative credits, i.e., online instruction, collaborative credit, and summer school, may be obtained through the school’s Counseling Department. High school credit may be granted to students who satisfactorily complete college courses.
Diploma Seals
The Arizona State Board of Education has approved the following seals for art, social studies, and world languages. These seals recognize high school students who achieve proficiency in related coursework and complete additional examinations along with extracurricular tasks.
Dual Enrollment
Maricopa Community Colleges and Gilbert Public Schools have designed cooperative programs that allow students to earn both high school and college credits. These classes are held on the high school campus as part of the regular school day.
School of Innovation
The School of Innovation & Design (SID) hosted by Desert Ridge Junior & Desert Ridge High takes 6th-12th grade students on a journey to build the skills and access the education they need to unlock career opportunities in the job market of their future.
International Baccalaureate
Gilbert High School is the only school in Gilbert Public Schools authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). The International Baccalaureate is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals, and engaged world citizens. Students who participate in a single IB course or complete the DP or CP programmes will benefit from the high level of rigor that is paired with student-led learning and framed through a global context.
Dual Language Immersion (DLI)
Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program provides students the advantage of learning their grade-level content in two languages: English and Spanish. The focus of the program is to develop culturally responsive, active learners who are intellectually challenged and engaged. Instruction in the immersion language prepares students for success in high school, including IB and AP-level courses, and for earning the Arizona State Seal of Biliteracy.
AVID
AVID-Advancement Via Individual Determination-is designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance. AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
AVID at its schools: