Gifted and Talented Education
Excelsior's GATE Program Highlights
Excelsior's GATE Program Highlights![]()
Excelsior's GATE Program Highlights
- GATE Cluster Classes - GATE students are placed in clusters with other GATE-identified students in a class taught by a GATE-certified teacher who has received a minimum of 30 hours of professional development experience specific to the needs of gifted and talented learners.
- Differentiated Math Instruction - In 4th and 5th grades, enrichment opportunities are provided for students GATE and high achieving students through differentiation within the grade level standards. For 6th grade students, an accelerated math class is offered. Students in the accelerated class will complete much of the 7th grade content, on a pathway to completing the Integrated 1 course in 8th grade.
- Junior Great Books - 4th and 5th grade GATE students are offered the opportunity to participate in Junior Great Books. The junior great books groups are facilitated by the school librarian and engage students in student-centered discussions around high-quality literature.
- Ivy League - Our 6th grade students participate in “Ivy League” once a week. GATE and high achieving students are grouped together so that differentiated instruction can be provided during language arts each week.
- Challenge Units - Grade level Challenge Units are designed to include components that are open-ended and allow for individual student challenge and initiative.
- Differentiated Reading Groups - Students at all grade levels participate in reading groups which allow for differentiation in the content and complexity of the text being explored.
- GATE Extension Projects - Each GATE student is offered the opportunity to develop a GATE Extension Project proposal with the school principal. The extension projects allow students to engage their natural curiosity by creating a research plan to learn more about a high-interest topic of their choice.
