Gilbert Arts Academy

862 East Elliot Road

School District

Kaizen Education Foundation Dba Gilbert Arts Academy
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

charter

School Map for Kaizen Education Foundation Dba Gilbert Arts Academy

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on July 08, 2023

I went to this school for about 6 years. I cannot express to you enough how horrid it is. The school itself doesn’t really even act as an arts school, there is one art program and it’s terrible. In the classroom I have never felt challenged with the material, and the teachers don’t do anything to make the student want to learn and some don’t even do their jobs. Most of the time teachers would rather be yelling at their students instead of trying to help them. The principal is also overbearing coming in and visiting classrooms basically everyday and criticizing everything anyone does wether it’s student or teacher that does it. And don’t even get me started on the ridiculous rules of the school. They dress code absolutely everything INCLUDING SOCKS. They also have a stupid rule about drawing on yourself, which I cannot understand because it is an ARTS SCHOOL. They criticize free expression and seem to hate fun in general. There were many occasions where I have seen students get in trouble for actually smiling, and it wasn’t even interrupting class and they would actually be yelled at for it. They have a strict bathroom policy and won’t let students use to bathroom for the first 20 mins of class and the last 10 mins of it. The food is absolutely atrocious and most of the time it is either undercooked, bland, or just disgusting. I wouldn’t recommend drinking the milk either because there are times when it is the consistency of jelly. The cleanliness of the school is also terrible and I swear I saw a roach in the cafeteria once. Not to mention my mental health at the school was awful, and do basically nothing about bullying. Ex. There was blatant homophobic teachers and student and when reported were let off with the slap of a wrist. I still have so much to say but I think I’ve said enough. Please do yourself a favor and do not bring your kid to school here. (Most of what is said here happened to me during middle school 6th-8th)
Submitted by other on June 05, 2023

the dress code is so unbelievable and the milk for lunch is almost always moldy. food is unbelievably disgusting. if your socks aren't red white or black? principals office. if your hoodie has a logo on it that's not even inappropriate? take it off, they don't care if you're freezing. disgusting school, run down, poorly designed classrooms and annoying insecure teachers. get better or get rid of this nasty school.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2022

I cannot say enough about how much I love this school. My daughters have some behavioral health struggles and have been so mistreated at other schools. My eldest did not trust schools or her teachers. This school worked with her, stuck by her and absolutely transitioned her. I cannot say enough about this school, their teachers, their staff and their principal. BEST SCHOOL EVER!!!!
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2022

Poor leadership. Horrid teachers. Poor strict ridiculous dress code. Problem resolution is abysmal
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2018

My son started GAA last year and he's thriving at this school. We made the switch from public school and it's been an incredible experience for my son.
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2018

This is an excellent school. the principle, staff and teachers are very devoted to their students success and they personally know every student and family member. We love GAA!
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2018

Our family loves GAA. This is our third year here and we love the small family feel of the school. All the teachers are supportive and care about each student.
Submitted by principal on August 13, 2018

Amazing school for students, parents, and staff.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2018

Exceptional! Ms Arnold is well respected. Many of the teachers are nurturing and really care. No school is perfect, yet this small environment caters to all of the ways children learn.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2018

I have been pleasantly surprised with Gilbert Arts Academy. We recently moved and our daughter had a lot of adjustments to make. This school guided her through those changes. The small campus feel is friendly and family oriented. Love the staff and the school.
Submitted by other on August 09, 2017

The school is anything but nurturing, small school teachers know all the kids and if you have a problem with on you will with the rest as well. Teachers children attend the school as well and get special treatment. They have a bullying problem and it is not dealt with. Even in the car line, kids are spoken to in harsh manner, it begin at the top and trickles down. I never felt like anyone was caring. Any teacher that bullies a child in classroom in front of others should be removed from the classroom. Look around they heavily advertise for students, because there is a high turnover of kids leaving. Academics is lacking, no spelling words, no handwriting, no reading assignments.
Submitted by principal on April 19, 2016

Our mission is to provide the foundation for educational opportunities for students to reach their highest potentials. We will do this as we provide an engaging curriculum, empower character development, provide a variety of enriching expressions for creativity, and encompass community.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

Gilbert Arts Academy is an amazing school! My children love school and love learning. The fact that they want to make their teachers happy and look forward to seeing them, from previous years and this current year tells me that my children are in good hands.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2014

The first word that comes to mind about GAA is nurturing. EVERY staff member knows EVERY child's name at GAA. There is such a sense of community and family at this school from the moment we are greeted by a staff member in the morning to when I pick up my smiling happy first grader. She was accepted to enroll at GAA in the middle of her kindergarten year. She was having a terrible time at her previous school. She was not being challenged in her studies nor being cared for in this over populated school. The staff at this previous school could offer no support. We toured several schools before arriving to GAA where our daughter was told she could start the next day. She was greeted with open arms by the staff and children. She is now doing well in most subjects. The one area she was falling behind in she was offered after school tutoring and is quickly getting caught up to speed. The after school programs are fantastic and the support from the staff is outstanding. Everyday I think how fortunate we are to have found such a wonderful school. GAA is everything I've hoped for in education for my daughter and then some.
Submitted by principal on February 19, 2014

Gilbert Arts Academy offers a safe, family-oriented environment that focuses on meeting the individual needs of all students, while challenging each to reach their highest potential. Our team of dedicated teachers and staff take pride in providing a quality education and ensuring our students develop healthy habits, attitudes and confidence to yield success in all aspects of life.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2014

Gilbert Arts Academy is amazing! I really appreciate this school; especially the quality of teachers. My son has excelled in learning as well as socially. I love when I visit the school because I can see how well each child is KNOWN. My son loves going to this school. In fact, we drive him every day from Mesa to Gilbert because he loves it so much. It has a great "no bully" policy. I have never seen rotten behavior when I visit. The atmosphere is fun as well as challenging! Thanks GAA!! Go mustangs!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

I have had my boys at this school for two years now and was previously a home schooler. I LOVE this school. Their PE teacher Ms. Hay is one of the best I've ever seen, her love and excitement for the children is amazing. Their Kindergarten teacher was awesome, I'm excited for my daughter to be in her class next year! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mrs. Black the third grade teacher. She has a class of 15 boys and 5 girls and they are not only doing well, but excelling! They are doing 4th and 5th grade math!!! I would highly recommend this school. I am unable to home school my children right now due to life circumstances and am so thankful I found this school!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2013

This will sadly be our last year of school here at GAA. My student is very excited for the school year to begin! We are still trying to figure out a way to have GAA extend to 2 extra years here. We have been coming to GAA since Kindergarten. We have always felt GAA as our second home. Teachers and staff here are great and go the extra mile to care for our students. It will be a bitter sweet year, but know we can always call GAA our second home.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2013

I wish I could give this school zero or negative stars. This is the worse school I have ever been to. The teachers were not experience or educated at all. I have never known of a school who doesn't want volunteers in their classrooms. I always felt this school was full of fake and evil people and sad to say I was right. Please parents keep your children far away from the place of horrors!!
Submitted by other on August 03, 2013

Old worn and tired classrooms, in a state if flux and change of leadership, treating teachers with no respect, lack of appreciation for countless unpaid hours, lack of necessary support and guidance, unreal expectations, no art infused curriculum to even call it an Art Academy, corporation and education should never meet, low pay for 16 hr work days. Stay away.