Referrals for evaluation for gifted education programs may originate from any source. The GATE office disseminates information to all schools regarding procedures for referrals and testing of students. All students referred for evaluation must have a Permission to Evaluate form signed by the parent or guardian on file in the GATE office prior to evaluation. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade participate in group administered testing and should be referred prior to December 15th as testing for these students takes place in all elementary and middle schools in January and February. Students who participate in the group administered testing in January and February will be considered for placement for the following school year.
Testing offered by the district is free of charge to parents or guardians.
Parents should contact their neighborhood school or the GATE office to determine exact testing dates. In general, students selected to participate in the full-time programs demonstrate the capability to perform academically at or above the 97th percentile as measured by state approved standardized tests. Part-time programs are more inclusive and accommodate a broader range of student abilities. However, schools housing full-time GATE programs coordinate registration and enrollment. A geographic feeder pattern is used to assign students to self-contained GATE school sites.