Gilbert Public Schools’ Very Important Kids (VIK) before and after-school programs have received full accreditation for all 25 of their sites from the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence (AzCASE). This recognition makes Gilbert Public Schools the only large district in Arizona with 100% accredited before and after-school program sites. In addition, the VIK Club was presented with the Commitment to Quality Award of Excellence at the AzCASE annual conference held on October 11, 2025.
“These achievements showcase how hard our staff have worked to improve our programming over the last two years. These are huge accomplishments that validate the quality of our care, and they reflect our commitment to continuous improvement as we’re constantly setting new goals across our programs,” said Kristin Stoltzmann, Program Supervisor, Gilbert Public Schools Community Education.
The VIK Club serves more than 2,000 students from kindergarten through sixth grade across its 25 elementary school campuses. The program operates both before school, starting at 6:30 AM, and after school until 6 PM. It provides activities such as breakfast and afternoon snacks, quiet time for homework, S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) projects, active games, and free-choice options.
Accreditation was achieved through the AzCASE Pathway to Accreditation process. This requires each site to evaluate its practices and develop action plans for ongoing improvement. The VIK Club’s use of the Arizona Quality Standards Assessment Tool (AQSAT) and adherence to AzCASE’s Make It Count Pledge were key factors in earning both the accreditations and the Commitment to Quality Award of Excellence. These standards emphasize data-driven decision-making and best practices in out-of-school time programming.
The curriculum at VIK focuses on building life skills such as communication, sharing, and leadership. Staff members participate in regular professional development that includes interactive training with industry experts. They also maintain program quality through quarterly goal-setting and internal audits conducted by program specialists.
Gilbert Public Schools states it is committed to offering high-quality education opportunities both during school hours and in out-of-school programs like VIK Club. More information about program offerings and registration is available at GilbertSchools.net/About/Community-Education.
