GATE Program

Whittier City School District is committed to providing all students with an exemplary instructional program. We are proud to have several schools within our district designated as academies. We currently have a science, Spanish dual language, visual and performing arts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and technology academy. Teachers differentiate instruction by challenging students, providing higher order thinking skills, and flexible grouping based on students' strengths, need and/or interest. Furthermore, our teachers continually monitor student progress and adjust instruction accordingly. In partnership with UC Irvine's Gifted and Talented Education Program, we provide classes for our teachers at our District Office on topics such as brain research and differentiated instruction.

In order to further serve our gifted students, each school arranges challenging and engaging enrichment opportunities (i.e.. field trips, after school sessions, assemblies, extending learning through projects, etc.) In addition, we annually hold a district-wide GATE Conference where students select workshops of interest. This is a full-day event which includes a keynote speaker and a parent in-service component.

Gifted and Talented Annual Conference

Science GATE — Students working collaboratively to record their findings

Theater GATE — Preparing for their Shakespeare play

Keynote — Parents and students ready to begin with our keynote speaker

How do you know if your child is gifted?

Bright Child vs. Gifted Learner

Bright Learner	Gifted Learner
Is interested	Is highly curious
Knows the answers	Asks the questions
Is attentive	Is mentally and physically involved
Has good ideas	Has wild, silly ideas
Works hard	Plays around, yet tests well
Answers the questions	Discusses in detail, elaborates
Top group	Beyond the group
Listens with interest	Shows strong feelings and opinions
Learns with ease	Already knows
6-8 repetitions	1-2 repetitions for mastery
Understands ideas	Constructs abstractions
Enjoys peers	Prefers adults
Grasps the meaning	Draws inferences
Completes assignments	Initiates projects
Is receptive	Is intense
Copies accurately	Creates a new design
Enjoys school	Enjoys learning
Absorbs information	Manipulates information
Technician	Inventor
Good memorizer	Good guesser
Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentation	Thrives on complexity
Is alert	Is keenly observant
Is pleased with own learning	Is highly self-critical

Resource from: worknotes.com/CA/Pacificregion/Tri

Parent Resources:

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

Hoagies Gifted

Scholastic Parents Resources