Gilbert High School adding accelerated middle school to campus

Gilbert High School is shifting from serving grades 9-12 to grades 7-12 with the addition of an accelerated middle school program next school year.

The Gilbert Public Schools governing board unanimously approved a resolution March 29 requesting the Arizona School Facilities Board agree to a reduction of space at Gilbert High for 9-12 instruction with the space being reallocated for the “middle years” program.

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Gilbert High School adding accelerated middle school to campus

Posted Thursday, March 31, 2022 3:18 pm

Tom Blodgett

According to the resolution, students will gain access to the instructional expertise of high school- and college-level faculty. They will be immersed in an honors and accelerated curriculum with access to all resources of a comprehensive high school, while in a supportive cohort of other seventh and eighth grade students.

Additionally, it will allow students to engage with coursework and staff that will prepare them for honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate opportunities at the campus.

“This idea has been put forward before, and I have to say, I had to have some conversations to understand the desire,” Board Member Jill Humpherys said. “I think this is a move forward that will be good for Gilbert High School and the students who choose to attend. I think this is a really great opportunity for those who want something a little different than our traditional junior high schools.”

Gilbert High School’s enrollment is about 2,300 students, according to its reporting to the Arizona Interscholastic Association.