Gilbert Public Schools has held an A rating for three years, but district leaders say the real story is how schools across the system worked to raise performance and keep it high.

For the 2024-25 school year, 32 GPS campuses earned an A and six earned a B, according to the Arizona Department of Education. District officials credit those results to a plan launched three years ago to unify efforts around student achievement.

The Continuous Improvement Plan, or CIP, sets goals in five areas: reading and literacy, math achievement, future-ready graduates, differentiated learning opportunities and culture.

Each school conducts three “Impact Checks” during the year to review progress, identify challenges and set next steps. Schools then create campus-specific action plans.

“Every school is unique,” said Jared Ryan, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. “A school of 3,000 students has different needs than one with 300. The plan gives structure, but it also gives ownership to every team.”

That balance of structure and flexibility shows up in classrooms across the district.

At Greenfield Junior High, professional learning communities have shifted from focusing on what content was covered to what helps students grow. Departments use clarity maps to align grading and expectations, and teachers meet regularly to analyze data.

The result, Ryan said, is a more consistent experience for students and stronger collaboration among staff.

Settler’s Point Elementary has taken a similar approach with its own priorities. Teachers there use classroom assessment data to guide instruction and share strategies during team meetings.

Principal Andrea Emerick said the focus is on growth for both students and staff.

“Our teachers are open to learning right alongside their students,” she said.

Other campuses have tailored the plan to fit their needs. At Mesquite High School, staff have expanded tutoring and intervention programs to support math achievement.

At Val Vista Lakes Elementary, teachers have introduced new literacy strategies and small-group instruction to boost reading scores.

Across the district, schools use district-provided data tools to track progress and adjust plans.

Behind the scenes, collaboration among departments helps keep the effort moving.

Teams in curriculum and assessment, finance and talent management work together to align resources with student needs.

Instructional coaches and specialists support teachers with training and materials.

“Everything we do is targeted toward what’s best for students — and a lot is happening behind the scenes to make sure our schools keep improving,” Ryan said.

District leaders say the work is ongoing. Each year brings new goals and refinements, but the focus remains the same: ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.