Gilbert Public Schools' CTE Sports Medicine Programs Prioritize Athlete Safety and Career Readiness Ahead of Football Season

As football season quickly approaches, over 400 Gilbert Public Schools high school students are hard at work in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Sports Medicine programs on five comprehensive high school campuses, actively preparing to ensure student-athletes stay safe and healthy. Students are experiencing hands-on, real-world training in athletic healthcare, equipping them with foundational skills and knowledge for future careers in sports medicine and rehabilitation.

CTE programs prepare students for careers in high-demand industries by combining regular classroom instruction with practical, hands-on training while ensuring they gain practical experience and industry credentials before graduation. Gilbert Public Schools delivers CTE classes as a key component of students' academic schedules on their home campuses, where they gain real-world experience in fields like sports medicine, bio-science, business management, and more.

"Our programs provide students with meaningful opportunities to collaborate with professionals and build valuable connections with potential employers,” said Ian Jeffer, CTE Sports Medicine Teacher at Desert Ridge High School within Gilbert Public Schools. “We are committed not only to preparing students for success in college but also to equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to make a meaningful impact in various career fields after graduation."

As CTE Sports Medicine programs prepare for the upcoming football season, students at each of GPS’s five comprehensive high schools learn similar topics, but also learn distinct hands-on applications in unique environments shaped by each school's culture, projects, and community connections.

Campo Verde High School 

Sports Medicine students at Campo Verde High School are preparing for football season by focusing student athletic trainers on injury prevention, taping techniques, concussion protocols, and emergency response plans. The program partners with coaches and athletic staff to integrate students into practice and game-day coverage, conducting pre-season workshops and simulations to build confidence and clinical skills. The program also offers professional certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training, emphasizing teamwork, professionalism, and ethical decision-making. This significantly impacts students by opening doors to college pathways and healthcare careers, fostering confidence, leadership, and hands-on clinical experience.

Desert Ridge High School

At Desert Ridge High School, CTE Sports Medicine students learn essential clinical skills, including taping techniques, recognition and management of heat-related illnesses, sideline organization, and professional conduct during game time. They also participate in collaborative training with Dignity Health, team physicians, athletic trainers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics to enhance readiness for critical emergencies like heat stroke and cervical spine injuries. Students gain valuable industry connections, working as physical therapy technicians, while fostering collaborations with healthcare organizations like Dignity Health, Foothills Sports Medicine, and Barrow Neurological Institute.

Gilbert High School

Gilbert High School's CTE Sports Medicine program emphasizes community and mental health alongside physical well-being. To prepare for football season, the program monitors heat stress using a Kestrel heat stress tracker, which informs how the football team should adjust practice times for safety while ensuring students remain hydrated. Cody Gonzalez, Gilbert High’s Sports Medicine teacher, leverages his NCAA Division 1 sports experience to prepare high-level students with college-level content and hands-on practice. The program aims to build an engaging, hands-on learning environment that excites students about diverse medical careers.

Highland High School

Highland High School's CTE Sports Medicine program prepares for fall seasons by educating coaches, athletes, and student aids on injury prevention, including hydration for heat preparation, and adequate sleep and nutrition for optimal sports performance. They also thoroughly review their Emergency Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy for responding to emergencies. This program specifically focuses on professionalism, passion, and attention to detail, while ensuring students have a high-quality classroom and a clinical facility for hands-on learning opportunities that provide a solid foundation of skills for higher education in any medical profession.

Mesquite High School

Mesquite High's CTE Sports Medicine program is proactively working to address the risks of heat illnesses, with students focused on learning about prevention and treatment. Sports Medicine students at Mesquite High master emergency mitigation, vital signs, and the implementation of emergency action plans. The program also participates in events to prepare for heat and spinal injuries. High-level Sports Medicine students also visit a neighborhood fire station and complete internships with area physical therapy clinics to help foster relationships between students and professionals in the field.

CTE programs like these not only provide essential support for athletic teams but also empower students to pursue rewarding careers. Gilbert Public Schools offers 21 distinct CTE programs on its five comprehensive high school campuses, serving a total of 5,779 high school students for the 2025/26 school year. In addition, over 700 students attend CTE programs on the EVIT main campus, with transportation provided by the district during the school day. Students who are enrolled in CTE programs have a 97.4% graduation rate, with 75% of graduates successfully transitioning into postsecondary education, advanced training, military service, or employment within 6 months of program completion.

Gilbert Public Schools is dedicated to fostering academic excellence by offering students educational choice and comprehensive learning experiences within safe and supportive environments, ultimately preparing them to be future-ready graduates. For more information about GPS’s Career and Technical Education programs and their impact on student success, please visit GilbertSchools.net/CTE.

First Football Game Schedule for Gilbert Public Schools High Schools:

Campo Verde High School: Friday, August 29 at Capistrano Valley High
Desert Ridge High School: Friday, August 29 vs. Gilbert High
Gilbert High School: Friday, August 29 at Desert Ridge High
Highland High School: Thursday, August 28 at Higley High
Mesquite High School: Thursday, August 28 at Desert Sunrise High