Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District have again earned top marks from the Arizona Department of Education, highlighting strong academic performance across the East Valley.
The 2024–25 school letter grades released by the department show that Gilbert Public Schools received an overall district “A” rating for the third consecutive year.
Higley Unified reported that every one of its in-person campuses earned an “A” — an achievement that district leaders say reflects the strength of teachers, students and families.
According to a Higley release, all 13 of its in-person schools — nine elementary, two middle and two high schools — received “A” grades.
Coronado Elementary, home to the district’s Mandarin dual language immersion program, earned the highest score with 100.66 out of 100 points. The district’s virtual academy, which has since transitioned into an alternative program at each high school, rose to a “B.”
“This is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our teachers and staff, and our families,” Superintendent David Loutzenheiser said in the Higley release. “These letter grades are truly a cause for celebration. We know we have high-performing schools, students, and educators. To be able to say every single campus is A-Rated is a point of pride for all of us here in Higley.”
Higley’s data from the Arizona Academic Standards Assessment showed students scoring 61% proficient in math and 55% in English language arts — rates that the district said outpaced neighboring systems including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Mesa.
In Gilbert, 32 of 38 graded schools earned an “A,” and the remaining six received a “B.” The district noted that 84% of its campuses were rated “A,” and more than half improved their scores from last year — some by 10 points or more.
“Our teachers and staff work every day to help students grow and reach their goals,” Superintendent Shane McCord said in the GPS release. “We’re proud to see that work reflected in the state’s ratings and remain focused on ensuring academic excellence for every student.”
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jared Ryan said in the release that Gilbert’s steady rise in performance since 2021 “reflects the dedication of our educators, leaders, students, and families, and our strong commitment to continuous improvement.”
The Arizona Department of Education’s accountability system evaluates schools on measures including student proficiency, academic growth, graduation rates, and college and career readiness. An “A” rating represents “excellent” performance, while a “B” represents “highly performing.”
More information about school grades is available on the districts’ websites at husd.org and GilbertSchools.net.
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