Gilbert Christian Schools - Agritopia Campus

Part I – Introduction

My field research is being done at Gilbert Christian Agritopia campus in Chandler, Arizona. The
campus is Pre-K through 8th grade. I am working with Laura DeBruin, a 4th grade teacher at the
school and her 16 students. The subjects that are taught are, Language Arts, Reading, Math,
Social Studies, Science, Study Skills and Bible Study.

Part II – The School and the School System

The school system has three campuses. The Greenfield and Agritopia campus include an
elementary school and a middle school on both campuses and the High School campus is its own
campus. The school system has a total student body of 1,545 students from High School to Pre-
K.

Population of School System and School by Gender

Males Females Total

Gilbert Christian
School’s
727 818 1,545
Gilbert Christian
Agritopia
182 204 386

Population of School System and School by Race & Ethnicity

Gilbert Christian School’s Gilbert Christian Agritopia

White 1,329 333
Hispanic 71 16
Black or African
66 16
American
Asian 44 8
International 15 3
Unknown 13 0
Native American 7 10

Since Gilbert Christian is a private school, the student body pays tuition in order to attend the
school. The students are not eligible for free lunch but instead students are eligible to receive
scholarships to attend the school.
The school uses a “GEAR” program for students receiving special education services. It’s
available for students grades 1-12 and only about 5%-10% of students are in the GEAR program.

Teacher Diversity for School System and School

Male Female Total

Gilbert Christian
52 134 186
School’s
Gilbert Christian
6 52 58
Agritopia

Gilbert Christian School’s Gilbert Christian Agritopia

White 169 53
Hispanic 11 3
Black or African
4 2
American
Asian 2 0
International 0 0
Unknown 0 0
Native American 0 0

The teachers at Gilbert Christian are predominately white Females who make up most of the
teachers for the school system and at the Agritopia campus. Teaching experience various among
the teachers. The teachers at the school all have bachelor’s degrees in education and some
teachers have gone on to receive their master’s degree as well.

Part III – The Classroom

The classroom is a 4th grade classroom with 16 students. 8 boys, 8 girls all white students. The
subjects taught during class are Language Arts, Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science, Study
Skills and Bible Study. For this class there are not any students that require additional needs or
advanced learning such as GEAR or pull-out programs. The class size is designed to be smaller
to better accelerate learning and individualized instruction. While students work, the teacher
walks around and gives individual attention to the students.

Male Female
White 8 8

Part IV –The Parent/Student Handbook

https://gilbertchristianschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-
2022_Elementary_Student_Handbook_AG.pdf

 Attendance Policy
o Generally speaking, students are not to miss class. Students absent for more than
nine (9) days in a quarter will be called by the principal to discuss the child’s
academic progress. Students with 10 absences per quarter may not pass the
quarter successfully and may need to repeat the grade. An email sent home will
alert the parent that a conversation with the principal is necessary due to frequent
absences.
 Dress Code
o School Uniform
o Monday through Thursday – approved, solid color polo shirts with a GCS logo.
Shirts should be purchased from a GCS approved vendor. Any shirts not
purchased from GCS approved vendor may not meet dress code requirements. 
On Fridays, elementary students may wear GCS “spirit shirts” or GCS team shirts
from any uniform or sports apparel vendor on our website. Thursday, even if it is
the last day of the school week, is not spirit/team shirt day.  Solid, long t-
shirts/camisole underneath the uniform are acceptable. A solid tshirt/cami that
provides a layered look is an acceptable and modest style.
 Classroom Expectations
o Respect and obey your teacher.
o Respect and encourage classmates.
o Stay on task with the lesson objective.
o Speak in turn.
o Use only humble, pure, honest, encouraging, and obedient words.
o Keep hands and feet to yourself.
o Complete assignments with excellence and in a timely manner.
o Use only humble, pure, honest, encouraging, and obedient words
 Discipline Procedures
Gilbert Christian Schools keeps high behavioral standards for elementary students.
Loving, consistent enforcement of these expectations provides the framework needed to
produce growth in academic excellence and godliness. All students at Gilbert Christian
Schools are expected to meet these expectations and follow the GCS Honor Code.
 Parental Support
o The unique culture of Gilbert Christian Schools depends on harmony and mutual
respect between the administration, teachers, and parents. We should be “eager to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” as is taught in Ephesians
4:3. The key to this is love and strict adherence to Scriptural standards of conduct
in all of our relationships, including demonstrations of unity (1 Peter 3:8), respect
for authority (Romans 13:1-7), and conflict resolution according to Matthew
18:15. The administration reserves the right to withhold the privilege of
 enrollment or re-enrollment if it is deemed the school partnership is detrimental to
the common good.
 Health & Safety
o The Health Aide will attend to the student’s concerns and advise the student about
continued class and athletic attendance for the day. The Health Aide will notify
the student’s parents or guardians if the student must be sent home because of
illness. The Health Aide must authorize all departures from school due to injury
or illness.

Part V-Reflection

The handbook for the school and students really sets a tone for what is expected for
everyone who is involved in the school. Teachers, students, and parents have their role
outlined to help the students be successful. In the future, I would like to pick a different
school that is more diverse than Gilbert Christian. I didn’t attend a school with a diverse
population of students or teachers so I would like to do field research at another school
later in my educational classes.
The information I learned about the school system, school and classroom showed
me what is needed to be supportive in a Christian school setting. What is considered
supportive in a Christian setting may not be supportive in a public-school setting. I think
understand the school handbook before applying for a teaching position at a school or
obtaining information about a school is important to know if it aligns with your own
beliefs.