Gilbert Classical Academy

Our child LOVES GCA. She is a 7th grader and is involved in many clubs at school. Academically she is being challenged, and socially she is finally surrounded by peers who are more like herself. (Gifted and hard working). We appreciate the smaller school setting and the strict guidelines for student conduct. Students know how they are expected to behave and are held to a higher standard than at other schools. Our child has flourished at this school without having to worry about bullies and other issues found at most Jr. High and High Schools. We feel very forutunate that our child attends GCA. She loves the school and so do we.
--Submitted by a parent

What a gem to find. A private school education, and no tuition! We couldn't be happier with the overall environment. Our children are being educated in a safe and caring environment, and are held to very high standards both academically and ethicaly.
--Submitted by a parent

Our child is very happy at GCA and has been for all 4 years of high school. The work has been rigorous but she had opportunities that she may not have had at the comprehensive high schools. She has developed close friendships and has developed wonderful leadership skills. I think GCA and the environment at the school have helped her all around. She has been able to focus on classwork, athletics and extracurriculars without the disruptions that occur in other schools.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is the ultimate waste of time. There are one or two good teachers but this could be found at any other school they take the same honors program as a normal school however their work is not rewarded as the grades for this school ARE NOT WEIGHTED. The Dean (who is now principal) will not return parental emails and has no care whatsoever for the oppinions of the parents. The athletics are pathetic and they do not even have proper facilities there are no benifits to going to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Very structured atmosphere when GCA first opened but now many policies have fallen by the way side. My child was an eighth grader and is now an upper classman - the administration and staff failed to acknowledge my childs weaknesses and allowed him to fail therefore my child was given 3 weeks notice of needing to depart from GCA. Very poor communication on the administration side. Principal and Dean do not return messages unless it benefits them or the school. Very dissapointed especially having my child develop personal relationships with students that he was torn away from and could have very well been rectified if only the communication was stronger.
--Submitted by a parent

The reviews of 2009 and earlier sound like direct quotes from administrators at this school. Be careful when looking at this school. The education/curriculum is the same as honors classes at any Gilbert Public School; yet it is not weighted for all the work the kids have to put into it. The principal quotes 2 house of homework a night, far from it. These kids put in at least 4 hours every night and weekend unless they do it during class instead of learning in class time. This homework requirement leaves no time for extracurricular activities or community service that colleges demand. This principal's view is short sided; these kids will not be well rounded, but will only be able to do massive amounts of homework in college. The principal is uncaring and views his opinion as the only one that is right, all despite the numerous concerns parents have voiced. If you want your child to give up their childhood and dedicate their lives to getting an education, this school is for you. If you want your child to be well rounded, have some fun and enjoy family life along with an education, go for the honors programs at other Gilbert Public schools. It s far better in the long run.
--Submitted by a parent

GCA is awesome. Even though it's hard sometimes it helps to get in a good college. Everyone is nice and there is no bullying mostly.
--Submitted by a parent

Best education that could possibly be provided in a public school!
--Submitted by a parent

The academic curriculum at our school is much more intense than in other schools, so I feel as if I'm getting the education I want and deserve. The school is small, so everyone knows each other, and everyone just tries to help each other out. It is like we are a big family.
--Submitted by a student

I love Gilbert Classical Academy because it of how small it is. We're all like a family!
--Submitted by a student