Private Schools
Christian Elementary Schools in Gilbert, AZ (2026 K-8 Guide)
Christian elementary and K-8 schools in Gilbert, AZ - a multi-campus K-12 system, a classical academy, a Lutheran parish school, and small microschools, with tuition and ESA coverage.
10 min read · Updated
Gilbert has one of the strongest Christian elementary benches in the East Valley — a large multi-campus system, a classical academy, a Lutheran parish school, and several small microschools that serve tight K-6 and K-8 cohorts. Tuition here sits mid-range for metro Phoenix, which means Arizona ESA covers full elementary tuition at most Gilbert programs.
This guide covers the models available, what the elementary and middle grades cost, how ESA applies, and the current directory of active Gilbert programs serving grades K-8.
Gilbert Christian Elementary at a Glance
| Model | Days/week | Typical K-5 tuition | Accredited transcript | ESA usually covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-campus K-12 system | 5 | $8,000–$12,000 | Usually | Most of elementary |
| Classical academy | 5 | $7,500–$12,000 | Usually | Most of elementary |
| Lutheran / parish school | 5 | $6,500–$10,000 | Usually | Full elementary |
| Christian microschool | 4–5 | $5,000–$8,000 | Sometimes | Full tuition |
For the statewide view, see the Christian elementary schools directory.
What Gilbert Offers That Neighboring Cities Don't
A full K-12 system. Gilbert Christian Schools runs multiple campuses under a single statement of faith, so a kindergartner can stay in one system through graduation without a second admissions process.
Classical, done at scale. Great Hearts Christian Academies - Gilbert offers a classical liberal-arts sequence with a faith-integrated frame — a different academic model than the standard evangelical campus, and worth touring even if classical isn't on your list yet.
A parish elementary option. Christ Greenfield School - Gilbert Campus provides a traditional Lutheran elementary environment.
Microschools sized for elementary. Gateway Learning Private Micro-School (K-6), Paradigm Learning Microschools (K-8), Maple & Main Academy (PreK-2), and Light of Christ Christian Academy (currently K-3) serve families who want a room of ten to twenty students rather than a campus of several hundred.
Everything else is 15 minutes away. Mesa, Chandler, and Queen Creek campuses are all inside a short drive — see the Mesa and Chandler elementary guides.
Choosing a Grade Span in Gilbert
- K-12 system (Gilbert Christian Schools) — no transitions, one community, the highest total cost over time.
- Classical K-12 (Great Hearts Christos) — a distinct academic sequence; ask how much Latin and memory work the grammar years involve.
- K-8 or parish elementary — a single transition at 9th grade, generally at a lower price point.
- Small microschools (K-3, K-6, K-8) — the smallest rooms and the most flexibility. Ask about the school's plan for the grades above your child's — several Gilbert microschools add a grade each year.
That last question matters more in Gilbert than anywhere else in the East Valley: a K-3 program growing into K-8 is a very different commitment than an established K-8.
What Elementary and Middle Grades Cost in Gilbert
- Elementary (K-5): $7,000–$11,000 at campuses; $5,000–$8,000 at microschools.
- Middle school (6-8): $8,500–$13,000.
- Fees: application $50–$250, enrollment $250–$1,200, technology $150–$400, books $150–$600, uniforms $200–$400.
Ask each admissions office which School Tuition Organization it partners with; STO aid can close the middle-school gap that ESA alone leaves at the larger campuses.
Does ESA Cover Christian Elementary School in Gilbert?
At most schools, yes for the elementary years. Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account pays roughly $7,000–$8,000 per K-12 student with no income cap, billed through ClassWallet. That covers full tuition at Gilbert's microschools and parish schools and most of it at the larger campuses. Expect a real gap in middle school at the multi-campus and classical systems.
Confirm active ESA vendor status in writing before signing, and note that an ESA contract replaces the homeschool affidavit.
Christian Kindergarten in Gilbert
Gilbert kindergarten seats go early — this is a young, fast-growing city and kindergarten is the first ESA-funded year. Apply in January or February for August. At microschools with a single K classroom, enrollment often closes before spring. Coming from preschool? Start with the Gilbert Christian preschools guide.
Questions to Ask on a Gilbert Tour
- How do you teach reading, and what program do you use?
- What grades do you serve today, and what are you adding next year?
- What happens when a child is ahead or behind in math?
- How many elementary teachers were here three years ago?
- What is the all-in annual number, including fees and activities?
- Are you an active ESA vendor, and who handles ClassWallet billing?
- Where did last year's 8th graders enroll for 9th grade?
Gilbert Christian Elementary School Directory
The programs below are the active Gilbert-area schools and microschools we track serving elementary and middle grades. Related guides:
More programs in this guide
Gilbert Christian Schools - (High School Campus) HS
Gilbert Christian Schools is a private, multi-campus institution in Gilbert serving over 2,300 students. The High School campus, located near Higley Road and Loop 202, provides a Christ-centered education rooted in a biblical worldview. The school focuses on partnering with parents to integrate faith into all academic subjects, arts, and athletics while preparing students to impact the world for Christ.
Great Hearts Christian Academies - Gilbert
Great Hearts Christian Academies – Gilbert is a private Christian school in Gilbert, Arizona, serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The school employs a classical liberal arts curriculum integrated with a Christ-centered worldview, focusing on the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. As a faith-based academy, it partners with local churches to provide an accessible, virtue-based education that includes competitive athletics and a rich academic program.
Christ Greenfield School - Gilbert Campus
Located in Gilbert, Christ Greenfield School provides a Christ-centered, whole-child education for students from preschool through eighth grade. This community-driven school, partnered with Christ Greenfield Church, serves the East Valley with a focus on spiritual grounding and leadership preparation. The academic program emphasizes small class sizes and a firm foundation designed to prepare graduates for success in their high schools of choice.
Paradigm Learning Microschools
Personalized-learning microschool in Gilbert offering small-group attention with the friendships and opportunities of a larger school community.
Gateway Learning Private Micro-School
Gateway Learning is a small, bible-based private school where children ages 4-12 are provided with personalized instruction by passionate, experienced teachers. We follow the philosophy and methods of Charlotte Mason in partnership with families in order to give our children a rich, robust, and delightful education that values their individuality. We offer a unique learning environment, reminiscent of the one-room schoolhouse. Here you will experience a collision of the very best pieces of collaborative classroom schooling combined with the many benefits of homeschooling.
Maple & Main Academy
Imagine dropping your child off each morning knowing they will be truly known—not just by name, but by heart. A classroom where curiosity is celebrated, faith is woven naturally throughout the day, and learning happens through meaningful conversations, hands-on discovery, and genuine relationships. At Maple & Main Academy, our mission is to partner with families in providing a Christ-centered education that recognizes every child as uniquely created by God. We are committed to nurturing the whole child—academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and creatively—through meaningful relationships, individualized learning, and purposeful experiences. Our desire is to cultivate confident learners, compassionate leaders, and lifelong disciples who love God, love others, and joyfully pursue the unique purpose for which they were created. A little more about us is that we are a faith-based microschool serving children in Pre-K through 2nd grade. Our classrooms are intentionally small so each child receives individualized instruction, meaningful relationships, and the flexibility to learn in the way they were uniquely created to learn. We believe children aren't one-size-fits-all, and their education shouldn't be either.
Paradise Earth Academy
Paradise Earth Academy is a private K-8 school in Gilbert, Arizona, offering full and part-time academic support. The school utilizes a holistic approach that emphasizes small classes, classic literature, and daily engagement with the natural world through gardening, earth sciences, and horsemanship. Students focus on core subjects such as phonics and cursive while developing personal creativity through hands-on learning and outdoor exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Part of the Private schools in Arizona hub
Private Christian Schools in Arizona
Full-time, K–12 Christian schools with paid faculty, dedicated campuses, and biblical worldview across every subject.
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This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm current rules with the Arizona Department of Education before acting.