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A tuition-free charter school in Gilbert, AZ — where Montessori, Gifted, and Traditional programs empower every child to thrive.
San Tan Charter School is a tuition-free charter school in Gilbert, Arizona, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. With Montessori, Gifted, and Traditional programs, we provide families with educational choice and a supportive, close-knit community where every child can grow. Guided by our mission to educate the whole child, we focus on academics, social-emotional development, and strong relationships between students, families, and staff.
Rigorous academics meet curiosity-driven exploration, empowering students to become confident lifelong learners.
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We foster responsibility and respect through positive discipline based on the Love and Logic approach.
Our educators lead with passion and purpose, nurturing both intellect and emotional growth. Every teacher at San Tan Charter is dedicated to seeing each student as an individual.
Character, leadership, and service are embedded into daily life through our core iLEAD framework.
Students discover their creative voice while studying influential artists and producing their own masterpieces.
We cultivate strong bonds between students, teachers, and families to create a supportive learning culture.
San Tan Charter School began in 2006 as a small Montessori preschool and kindergarten in Gilbert, AZ. In response to parent concerns about limited and costly education options, it evolved into a tuition-free public charter school in 2008, approved by the Arizona Board for Charter Schools.
What started with fewer than 100 students has grown into a thriving PreK–12 community serving over 1,000 students. Built on an inquiry-based curriculum with Montessori influences, San Tan now includes award-winning educators and is proudly accredited by AdvancED, reflecting its commitment to educational excellence and continuous growth.
San Tan Charter School firmly believes in promoting character education in all areas of the school day. Whether at work, at home, or at play, there are basic values that define ethical behavior. These values are not political, religious, or culturally biased. Josephson Institute calls them the Six Pillars of Character, and they form the basis of all Institute programs at San Tan Charter School, these pillars are as follows:
This Pillar encompasses a variety of qualities: honesty, integrity, reliability, and loyalty. Being trustworthy means keeping promises and doing one’s best not to deceive, even with white lies or statements that one might defend as “technically true.”
The Golden Rule is the most useful guide here: Treat others as you wish to be treated. That means being courteous, listening to others, and accepting individual differences.
This Pillar includes accountability, self-control, and the pursuit of excellence. Being responsible also requires that we carefully consider the consequences of our choices before we make them.
Being fair means playing by the rules and not taking advantage of others. A fair person makes informed judgments without favoritism or prejudice and does not blame others carelessly.
Kindness, compassion, altruism — these are the heart of ethics. Of course, some ethical decisions inevitably cause pain, but the caring person acts to minimize hardship and to help others whenever possible.
Good citizens work to make their community better. They are committed to protecting our environment and to making our democratic institutions work. They know the law — and they often do more than it requires and less than it allows.
We’ve watched our daughter blossom in confidence, independence, and joy since joining the Montessori program. She genuinely loves learning again.
Parent of a Kindergarten Student
San Tan Charter School is an accredited member of AdvancED; a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site reviews of educational institutions and systems to ensure all students realize their full potential.
Ready to see what makes our community so special? Schedule a tour today and experience San Tan Charter School for yourself.
