Rattler News
![Enjoy Spring Break! All Schools Closed for Two Weeks]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751384178/gilbertschoolsnet/vysevu2hupgxyvbwnhud/SpringBreak-JrHigh.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1751384178/gilbertschoolsnet/vysevu2hupgxyvbwnhud/SpringBreak-JrHigh.png","width":512}])
Happy Spring Break to our students and families! A reminder that schools will be closed for the next two weeks. We look forward to seeing you Monday, March 23rd!
!["Rattler News" text overlay on an photo of Desert Ridge Junior with the school logo.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757536542/gilbertschoolsnet/wlqg6oaf67dfg90oivnl/DesertRidgeJuniorRattlerNewsThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757536542/gilbertschoolsnet/wlqg6oaf67dfg90oivnl/DesertRidgeJuniorRattlerNewsThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1757536542/gilbertschoolsnet/wlqg6oaf67dfg90oivnl/DesertRidgeJuniorRattlerNewsThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1757536542/gilbertschoolsnet/wlqg6oaf67dfg90oivnl/DesertRidgeJuniorRattlerNewsThumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757536542/gilbertschoolsnet/wlqg6oaf67dfg90oivnl/DesertRidgeJuniorRattlerNewsThumbnail.png","width":1600}])
Desert Ridge Junior High's Yearbook teacher, Jeanette Lockwood, has been nationally recognized for excellence in scholastic journalism and advising.
![White graphic with Desert Ridge High and Junior High logos that says School of Innovation and Design]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743014660/gilbertschoolsnet/fga88ihgwpouint5kklf/DRJHSSIDSchoolNews.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743014660/gilbertschoolsnet/fga88ihgwpouint5kklf/DRJHSSIDSchoolNews.png","width":512}])
The School of Innovation and Design hosted by Desert Ridge Junior and Desert Ridge High takes 6th-12th grade students on a journey to build the skills and access the education they need to unlock career opportunities in the job market of their future. Students are immersed in STEM, engineering, computer science, multi-media, robotics, and beyond, with an advanced academic track as well as conventional grade-level options to meet the needs of all learners.
![GPS Junior High Art Show with artwork by 8th grader Olivia Malabanan at Desert Ridge Junior High]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771944145/gilbertschoolsnet/bjypszrhdi26calb8gyo/JrHArtShow.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771944145/gilbertschoolsnet/bjypszrhdi26calb8gyo/JrHArtShow.png","width":512}])
The Junior High School Art Show will be held April 23rd from 5:30 - 7:00 PM at Gilbert Global Academy's Cafeteria (55 N Greenfield Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234).
Join us to support our young artists!
![Students presenting in classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772491440/gilbertschoolsnet/dtlscgt0fuyb2fsqejd1/OakTreeMHSSTEMCelebration.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772491440/gilbertschoolsnet/dtlscgt0fuyb2fsqejd1/OakTreeMHSSTEMCelebration.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772491440/gilbertschoolsnet/dtlscgt0fuyb2fsqejd1/OakTreeMHSSTEMCelebration.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772491440/gilbertschoolsnet/dtlscgt0fuyb2fsqejd1/OakTreeMHSSTEMCelebration.png","width":1080}])
Fifth-grade students at Oak Tree Elementary recently took their study of space to new heights - quite literally - by designing and launching bottle rockets on the school playground, with the help of Mesquite High Engineering Students.
![A female teacher in a red jacket is sitting on the floor in a classroom, surrounded by a group of young students who are also seated on the floor.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771441051/gilbertschoolsnet/glmiwqnyiretlzhutslw/AcademicsMidYearGOLDSquare.png","width":1080}])
At GPS, students and staff are not defined by data points. Instead, the district aims to connect, create, and care, using data as a tool to support every learner. During the February 10 Board Meeting, district leaders shared evidence of academic growth in literacy, mathematics, science, and advanced coursework, reflecting how educators are working together to make data-informed decisions to support students. As the year continues, this work remains ongoing, with teams across the district focused on building forward and strengthening student success.