Board adopts 2026–27 high school and junior high course books; summer school and transportation fees adjusted
Summary
After a multi-department review, the board approved the 2026–27 course description books for junior highs and high schools, adopting program and organizational changes including a summer-school fee increase to $250, higher transportation fees for certain sessions, updated CTE/dual-enrollment listings, and new AP/IB course additions and performing-arts weighted capstone options for eligible seniors.
The Gilbert Unified governing board approved the district’s 2026–27 course description books for junior highs and high schools following a presentation by curriculum staff that summarized committee work and recommended changes.
Key changes approved include reorganized summer-school information and a recommended increase in the summer-school course fee from $200 to $250 to sustain program staffing; an increase in certain transportation fees (including athletic transport and Sports Academy sessions) from $50 to $75 per session; and a proposed $25 class fee for minimal beginning/intermediate strings materials in a limited performing-arts offering. Staff said students on free and reduced-price lunch would receive a half-price waiver for summer school and that additional scholarships may be available for families in need.
The course books were updated to add sections explaining dual-language-immersion (DLI) programs at the secondary level, to include IB middle-years candidacy-related electives for GAMS, and to add new AP offerings (including AP business/personal finance and AP cybersecurity) and CTE-aligned opportunities where applicable. Curriculum staff also proposed performing-arts capstone classes that would provide weighted credit to seniors who meet multi-year participation and extra project requirements. Several low-enrollment or duplicative classes at the junior-high level were recommended for removal, and some course-credit scheduling changes (for creative writing and foundations of film) were proposed to align with year-long course coding.
Board members asked about implementation, student notification, and course visibility; staff said counselors and principals reviewed recommendations and that the district had prepared summary spreadsheets for campuses and families. After questions, a motion to approve the 2026–27 course description books was seconded and approved by the board.
