Best Schools in Gilbert, Arizona
89 schools · 54 Elementary · 4 Middle · 16 High · 15 Other
Choosing a school in Gilbert?
Use this page to compare every school in Gilbert by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Robert J.c. Rice Elementary School
Elementary · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sonoma Ranch Elementary School
Elementary · Gilbert Unified District (4239). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Chandler Traditional Academy-Freedom
Elementary · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gilbert for 2026 are Robert J.c. Rice Elementary School (9.6/10), Sonoma Ranch Elementary School (9.6/10), and Chandler Traditional Academy-Freedom (9.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 66 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
89
72 public · 17 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$523,050
home value · ACS
Districts
18
serving the city
Schools
89
72 public · 17 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$523,050
home value · ACS
Districts
18
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +11.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Gilbert schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Gilbert
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 66 rated schools; 89 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert J.c. Rice Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Sonoma Ranch Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Chandler Traditional Academy-Freedom | 9.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Riggs Elementary | 9.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Towne Meadows Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Quartz Hill Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Spectrum Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Mesquite Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Coronado Elementary School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Carol Rae Ranch Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $122,658
- Median home value
- $523,050
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 47%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
65% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gilbert compares
Arizona rank
#4 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$123k
173% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
78
Education Snapshot
Gilbert, ArizonaGilbert's 85 schools across 18 districts enroll roughly 54,780 students, with 49 elementary schools anchoring a level mix that also includes 16 high schools. The city's MySchoolScout composite rating averages 7.5/10 across 75 scored schools — 1.2 points above Arizona's state average of 6.3/10, placing Gilbert among the higher-performing cities in the state by this measure. Nineteen charter schools add meaningful choice to the district lineup, giving families roughly one alternative-sector option for every four traditional campuses. The economic context sharpens the picture: Gilbert's median household income of $122,777 sits 55% above Arizona's $79,290 median, and 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. That combination of above-average incomes and high adult educational attainment tends to correlate with stronger school resourcing, deeper parent involvement, and students who arrive better prepared for academic work.
18 districts draw attendance lines through Gilbert
Gilbert is not one school system. 18 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 40% of the public campuses.
Gilbert Unified District (4239) is the largest slice at 29 of 72 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Gilbert address is choosing a district first.
Among 66 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 9.6 — the spread is inside Gilbert, not a citywide average.
19 of the 72 public schools are charters (26%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Gilbert Unified District (4239)29 public · 40%
- Higley Unified School District (4248)13 public · 18%
- Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)6 public · 8%
- East Valley Institute of Technology (4516)5 public · 7%
- Lead Charter Schools (79967)4 public · 6%
About Schools in Gilbert, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona fields 67 ranked public schools, and the numbers set it apart from most metro-area cities. The average score across all 67 schools sits at 7.3 out of 10, and 43 of them — 64% — score 7.0 or higher. Parents here aren't hunting for a single standout in a sea of mediocrity; they're choosing among a deep, above-average pool.
Weinberg Gifted Academy leads the city at 9.6, the top score among all Gilbert public schools. Families seeking gifted programming have a clear first target. Right behind it, Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12 scores 9.5, making it the strongest option for middle and high school students in the city. Ashland Elementary (9.3) and Spectrum Elementary (9.2) anchor the elite elementary tier, while Chandler Traditional Academy-Freedom (9.0) rounds out the top five for families who want a structured, traditional academic environment.
The spread matters as much as the ceiling. With 64% of schools scoring 7 or above, Gilbert's floor is meaningfully higher than most comparable suburban cities. Parents who move here without obsessing over a specific attendance zone still land in a solid school more often than not. That said, the gap between a 9.6 at Weinberg and the city's lower-rated schools is real. Families with specific goals — gifted tracks, classical curriculum, traditional instruction — should match those priorities to the top options before committing to a neighborhood.
Practically: gifted-program families should put Weinberg first; it leads the city by a significant margin. Parents of 7-12 students should prioritize Gilbert Classical Academy. For elementary families without a specific program in mind, Gilbert's depth means most neighborhoods deliver a strong default — but always verify your address against current attendance boundaries before signing a lease or making an offer.
Elementary Schools
54 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 813 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 496 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.6 |
| 3 | 626 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.5 |
| 4 | 837 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.5 |
| 5 | 676 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 |
| 6 | 507 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 |
| 7 | 564 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 |
| 8 | 580 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.2 |
| 9 | 538 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.2 |
| 10 | 588 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.1 |
Show all 54 elementary schools in Gilbert
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 850 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 1,195 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 767 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
| 4 | 816 students · 7th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
16 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,334 students · 7th–12th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 583 students · 7th–12th | 8.3 |
| 3 | 1,925 students · 8th–12th | 7.7 |
| 4 | 2,601 students · 8th–12th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 2,163 students · 8th–12th | 7.5 |
| 6 | 3,027 students · 8th–12th | 7.3 |
| 7 | 2,195 students · 8th–12th | 7.1 |
| 8 | 198 students · 7th–12th | 6.8 |
| 9 | 1,411 students · 8th–12th | 6.0 |
| 10 | 261 students · 7th–12th | 5.3 |
Other Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,371 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 78 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | 249 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 888 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 5 | 102 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 6 | 266 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 7 | 119 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 8 | 1,987 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 9 | 262 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools6 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Creo Montessori SchoolPrivate 203 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 15 other schools in Gilbert
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Gilbert
Gilbert, Arizona · 89 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 7 ZIP codes
Median Income
$122,658
Median Home Value
$523,050
Median Rent
$2,097/mo
Population
272,707
College Educated
47%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Community Profile
Gilbert has a median household income of $122,658. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $523,050, with a median rent of $2,097/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 54
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 16
- Other
- 15
Resources
School Districts (18)
Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek (4355)
4 schools · 3,299 students
American Leadership Academy Inc. (4348)
12 schools · 13,876 students
Challenger Basic School Inc. (79886)
1 school · 321 students
American Charter Schools Foundation d.b.a. Desert (79872)
1 school · 245 students
LEAD Charter Schools (79967)
4 schools · 886 students
Arizona Connections Academy Charter School Inc. (87407)
1 school · 1,987 students
Eduprize Schools LLC (89412)
3 schools · 3,160 students
San Tan Montessori School Inc. (89798)
1 school · 888 students
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Gilbert Arts Acade (90333)
1 school · 170 students
CAFA Inc. dba Learning Foundation and Performing (90327)
2 schools · 560 students
Leading Edge Academy Maricopa (90637)
1 school · 824 students
Leading Edge Academy Queen Creek (91174)
1 school · 317 students
Ball Charter Schools (Val Vista) (90885)
1 school · 400 students
Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)
44 schools · 42,832 students
Freedom Preparatory Academy (1000979)
1 school · 262 students
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
38 schools · 32,402 students
Higley Unified School District (4248)
16 schools · 12,887 students
East Valley Institute of Technology (4516)
50 schools · 306 students
Other Major Cities in Arizona
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Gilbert, Arizona
How many schools are in Gilbert, Arizona?
Gilbert has 89 schools, including 72 public and 17 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gilbert, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gilbert is 7.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Gilbert, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Gilbert on MySchoolScout is Robert J.c. Rice Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gilbert, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gilbert on MySchoolScout is Robert J.c. Rice Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Gilbert, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Gilbert on MySchoolScout is Cooley Middle School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Gilbert, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Gilbert on MySchoolScout is Gilbert High School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
How many school districts serve Gilbert, Arizona?
Gilbert is served by 18 school districts: Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek (4355), American Leadership Academy Inc. (4348), Challenger Basic School Inc. (79886), American Charter Schools Foundation D.b.a. Desert (79872), Lead Charter Schools (79967), Arizona Connections Academy Charter School Inc. (87407), Eduprize Schools Llc (89412), San Tan Montessori School Inc. (89798), Kaizen Education Foundation Dba Gilbert Arts Acade (90333), Cafa Inc. Dba Learning Foundation and Performing (90327), Leading Edge Academy Maricopa (90637), Leading Edge Academy Queen Creek (91174), Ball Charter Schools (val Vista) (90885), Chandler Unified District #80 (4242), Freedom Preparatory Academy (1000979), Gilbert Unified District (4239), Higley Unified School District (4248), East Valley Institute of Technology (4516).
What is the education level in Gilbert, Arizona?
According to Census data, 47% of adults in Gilbert have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gilbert, Arizona?
The median household income in Gilbert is approximately $122,658 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gilbert, Arizona?
Yes, Gilbert has 17 private schools alongside 72 public schools. The top-rated private school is Creo Montessori School with a score of 8.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gilbert, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gilbert is 14.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gilbert, Arizona?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arizona Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.