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San Tan Charter History

Growing With Families Since 2006

 

San Tan Charter School began in 2006 as a small Montessori preschool and kindergarten in Gilbert, AZ. Parents quickly voiced concerns about what came next—overcrowded public schools and the high cost of private education.

In 2008, those concerns inspired the launch of San Tan Charter School, a tuition-free public charter school designed to give families another choice. Rooted in Montessori principles and inquiry-based learning, the school opened with fewer than 100 students after approval from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools.

What started as a small, community-driven solution has grown into a full K–12 program serving families across Gilbert and beyond. Since then, the school has grown to include a High School with over 1,000 students in grades PreK-12.

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.

School has grown alongside our families—expanding grade levels, adding programs, and receiving recognition for academics, athletics, and charter school excellence.

Our Private Montessori Preschool at the Recker Campus reflects our roots in Montessori education and provides a seamless transition into elementary school and beyond. Across all programs, we use an Inquiry-Based Learning Curriculum that gives every student the chance to explore, question, and connect concepts in meaningful ways.

Want to see how this comes to life? Visit our Learn Happy page to explore what learning looks like at San Tan.

San Tan Charter School Over the Years

2006 Founded

Founded Private San Tan Montessori

2008 Founded

San Tan Learning Center K-6 Curriculum

2010 Award

AZ Outstanding Gifted Educator

2011-2012 Award

Award Top 10 Charter School Teacher

2014 Expansion New Campus

New Campus Expansion and Name San Tan Charter School K-8 Curriculum

2013-2018 Award

East Valley Tribune Award Best Charter School Award 2013-2018

2016 Expanded to High School

K–12 Curriculum.

2017 Division 1 State Champions

Basketball / Cheer / Swimming / Baseball / Football

2018 Division 2 State Champions

Basketball

2018 A New High School

San Tan Charter School Power Campus.

2026 Expansion New Campus Open

Signal Butte Campus Opens

Be Part of Our Story

From a small Montessori preschool to a thriving K–12 community, San Tan continues to grow with families like yours.