Established in 1976, Patterson Elementary School provides a variety of learning options for more than 600 students in kindergarten through grade six. The school has received the Best Places to Work Award. Patterson Elementary School conducts classes in physical education, art, music and reading. The school maintains a work force of over 30 employees. Patterson Elementary School additionally operates a parent-teacher organization. The school provides various special education programs for gifted children. Patterson Elementary School also offers the accelerated reader program. The school is a part of Gilbert Public Schools, which governs several elementary, middle and high schools. Gilbert Public Schools enrolls nearly 38,000 students.
Great Hearts Arete Prep, Serving Grades 6-12Arete Preparatory Academy is a state-chartered public school providing an honors level, liberal arts curriculum in the tradition of the finest independent private schools. We offer an outstanding opportunity for families who want the best in a college preparatory institution. Arete Prep is a member of the prestigious Great Hearts Academies network of prep schools in the metropolitan Phoenix area. The Great Hearts Academies are setting a new standard and purpose for public secondary education. Our schools believe in each students innate potential to comprehend the rich tradition of Western Civilization to which he/she is heir.
Amanecer Preschool is for families with 3-5-year-olds and is offered at most GPS elementary schools three or four days per week. This play-based program is aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards, with a focus on critical thinking skills and social/emotional development. Thematic units are explored by students using a variety of learning styles and modalities, which in turn, ignites curiosity and encourages sustained attention. The program is supplemented using Handwriting without Tears and Creative Curriculum intentional learning materials. Typically developing peers and those with developmental delays work together and grow in one inclusive environment. Instruction is individualized based upon ongoing progress monitoring (Teaching Strategies GOLD) so the teacher knows what a child knows and what they are ready to learn next. GOLD is an authentic, ongoing observational system for assessing children from birth through Kindergarten. It helps teachers observe children in the context of everyday experiences, which is an effective way to learn what they know and can do.
