The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Gilbert Elementary School
Gilbert Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the southeastern Phoenix suburb of Gilbert. It is part of the Gilbert Unified District, a large system that covers much of this fast-growing town. Gilbert itself has transformed from a farming community into a major suburban city, and its school system reflects both the opportunities and the pressures of that growth. The school sits on the western side of town, in a neighborhood of single-family homes and commercial strips characteristic of the area.
The student body is diverse, with the largest share of students identifying as Hispanic and a substantial white population, followed by smaller groups of students who are two or more races, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. This is a school with a sizable enrollment, large enough to offer a full range of grade-level classrooms and typical elementary programming, though specific data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was not available in the provided data. A parent may want to ask the school directly for those breakdowns to get a fuller picture of student support.
Academically, the picture is mixed. On state assessments in English language arts and math, proficiency rates vary noticeably by grade level and subject. In ELA, the most recent results show rates that start modestly in the early grades and rise to a higher level by sixth grade, a positive trend. Math proficiency is lower across the board, with rates that cluster in a consistent range from third through sixth grade. Science testing, which occurs in fifth grade, shows a proficiency rate in a similar range to the math results. Looking at the school against the broader set of districts in Maricopa County on an overall proficiency index, Gilbert Elementary sits above the midpoint, meaning its combined performance across tested subjects and grades is typical to somewhat above the typical school in the county. There is only a single year of state testing data available in this profile, so a parent cannot yet see a multi-year trend in how these numbers have shifted.
There is no graduation rate or high school outcome data because this school ends at sixth grade. Students will move on to a Gilbert Unified middle school and then to one of the district’s high schools, a transition families should factor into their long-term planning.
The district context matters here. Gilbert Public Schools has operated without a voter-approved budget override for several years, and a recent override request failed at the ballot box for the third consecutive time. A separate bond measure for facility upgrades and technology also failed in the same election. The district responded by cutting some teaching positions through attrition and trimming school-level discretionary budgets. These fiscal constraints have a direct effect on class sizes and the resources available at individual school sites. The district has also put forward a strategic plan focused on student success, safe and supportive schools, employee excellence, and family and community engagement, but this plan is being implemented within real budget limitations.
For a family, Gilbert Elementary offers a typical suburban elementary experience in a large, growing district, with student diversity and academic results that are middle-of-the-pack among county schools. The math scores are a soft spot, and the district’s financial situation is a practical concern that could affect programming and staffing in the years ahead. A parent may want to talk with the school about how recent district budget cuts have affected this particular campus and what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting proficiency in math.
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