Gifted and Talented Education

Gifted and Talented means school age children whose abilities, talents and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional that they require special provisions to be fulfilled, productive, and contributing members of society.  GATE students demonstrate exceptional abilities in one or more of the following:

• General intellectual ability
• Specific academic aptitude or achievement
• Creative or productive thinking
• Leadership and human realtions ability
• Visual, performing, spatial or musical ability

Woodland Park School District GATE Brochure  

GATE Eligibility

Students may be eligible in four areas:

• GATE Language Arts 
• GATE Math
• GATE Both Language Arts & Math
• GATE Other (to be determined)

Eligibility is determined using a body of evidence by the end of 3rd grade with GATE plans and formal services as required.  Students are re-screened in 6th grade.  GATE plans are written collaboratively with the student, parents and staff identifying areas of strengths and goals, then reviewed yearly.

Criteria for GATE Eligibility  (CogAT or Ability Score plus 2 criteria)

• Ability Testing:  CogAT 125 Composite Score; or CogAT 135 verbal, nonverbal or quantitative; or WISC 130
• Achievement Testing:  95% or above in a content area on a nationally normed achievement test
• CSAP:  Advanced levels in math, reading or writing
• SAGES:  84% normed for gifted population
• Characteristics Rating (for example Kingore)
• Teacher Recommendation (for example Renzulli Scale)
• Portfolio of work demonstrating outstanding work or grade level assessments 

GATE Programming Options

In addition to a rigorous general education curriculum with a focus on continous improvement for all students including those at the advanced levels, our GATE programming options include:

Elementary Programming Options:

• Enrichment classes designed to challenge and promote in-depth higher level thinking skills
• Curriculum compacting
• Advanced work models
• Differentiated instruction
• Independent learning
• Clubs
• Competitions including Battle of the Books, Spelling Bees, Math competitions, etc.

Middle School Programming Options:

• Enrichment classes designed to challenge and promote in-depth higher level thinking skills
• Curriculum compacting
• Independent learning
• Advanced work models
• Differentiated learning
• Extracurriculars
• Competitions including Science Olympiad, Geography Bee, Math competitions, etc.
• Career Exploration

High School Programming Options:

• Honors classes
• Advanced Placement (AP) classes
• Dual enrollment for college credit
• Career and college guidance
• Extracurriculars and leadership opportunities

Woodland Park School District GATE Staff:

Columbine Elementary School:  Michelle Jackson   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gateway Elementary School:  Michelle Jackson  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Summit Elementary School:  Donna Frick  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Woodland Park Middle School:  Greg Spalding  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Woodland Park High School:  Counseling Center:  686-2074