National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Gilbert High School, with an enrollment of 425 students, serves the small town of Gilbert as well as the north part of Ames, Iowa. This gives Gilbert both a rural and suburban feel. Gilbert High School’s vision encourages members of the community to share a commitment to create a respectful, caring environment which allows all involved to learn and grow. Many families move into Gilbert boundaries because of its reputation as a high achieving school that maintains a small town feel. Gilbert High School is committed to creating an enriched educational environment that promotes student achievement and success by addressing individual student needs. The district provides a personal laptop for every student, tiered intervention systems for struggling students, and educational labs for students in need of assistance.

The faculty and community members at Gilbert High School dedicate their lives to the education of students. This philosophy is spoken about in the community and is acted upon in the daily lives of everyone involved. As a result, Iowa Assessment data shows over 94% of Gilbert students scored proficient or higher in reading, math, and science in 2013-14. It can also be seen with the implementation of Authentic Intellectual Work in all classroom: high quality teacher tasks, instruction, and student work that demands higher-order thinking.

Though Gilbert takes pride in high academic achievement, all stakeholders recognize the importance of growing students who are critical thinkers, productive citizens, and life-long learners who make positive contributions to society.