School Sites - Elementary Schools

Brookhaven Elementary School

Brookhaven, a Blue Ribbon School, is proud of its rigorous academic program. GATE students are challenged and highly motivated to excel in their area of strength and expertise. Our goal is to provide each GATE student with the opportunity to fully develop his/her abilities and interest to their highest potential while maintaining a sense of class community.

GATE students at Brookhaven are clustered within the regular education program with teachers who have been trained in instructional differentiation. Each cluster teacher has created a friendly working environment in which all students participate in well-developed activities. Throughout the year, the teacher provides them with opportunities for enrichment, acceleration, and a variety of challenging educational experiences. Clustering provides the students the opportunity to have higher and more complex levels of discussions with their fellow GATE students.

All Brookhaven teachers have been trained in differentiation of the curriculum in each content area. Differentiated instruction takes many different forms at Brookhaven. For example, students who are reading at a high level, study classic literature selections and have high-level discussion in Literary Circles. Individual students are encouraged to explore a variety of subject areas, from science to social studies, thus expanding their minds and sharing their knowledge with others. The Accelerated Reading program motivates students to read literature several years beyond their grade level. As students strive to earn points, they are increasing vocabulary and comprehension in advanced themes and literary styles.

GATE students at Brookhaven have the opportunity to participate in many after school programs. The Lesson House provides music lessons in a small group setting to budding guitarists, driummers, and singers. We will also be offering after school classes in drama and Spanish. Brookhaven will also provide an opportunity for GATE students to participate in Future Scientists and Engineers of America. This is an after school science, math, and engineering club, which focuses on building projects based on California science standards. Lessons are presented in a hands-on atmosphere.

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Bryant Ranch Elementary School

Bryant Ranch is proud of it's Blue Ribbon GATE community. There are currently 40 GATE identified students in the fourth and fifth grades. Our GATE cluster teachers have worked hard to plan meaningful and challenging activities for this school year. Gifted students at Bryant Ranch are involved in a multitude of activities both during the regular instructional day and for special activities as well. Some of these special programs are highlighted as follows:

During the first part of the school year, students are involved in bi-weekly Academic Academies focusing on technology. Students are researching, planning, and writing applications for inventions they have designed.

The month of October brings the beginning of FSEA (Future Scientists and Engineers of America.) This will be the seventh year of our after school science program. Once again parent volunteers who specialize in engineering and math, together with classroom teachers will direct this group. Two projects will be selected with students meeting once weekly into the spring.

The last Academic Academy focuses on challenging math topics and strategies. At the end of this session, four fourth grade students and four fifth grade students are selected to compete in the Orange County Math Field Day to be held in May. Credentialed teacher, Robin Rubenstein, will work hard to prepare these young mathematicians for a day full of fun and challenge.

Our rich and diverse program is what keeps most of our students in their home school setting. Data further validates that the Bryant Ranch GATE program is academically challenging. Gifted students at Bryant Ranch School perform just as well or better on State and district assessments in comparison to GATE students who attend other settings. This is one of the reasons Bryant Ranch School is a two time recipient of the California Distinguished School Award and has also received the coveted National Blue Ribbon honor on two separate occasions as well!

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Fairmont Elementary School

The 4th grade GATE cluster at Fairmont Elementary participates in monthly Book Talks with great enthusiasm.  This is an opportunity to explore different genres and to work on oral presentation skills.  Accompanying the presentation is a prop of the student's choosing, one that will further entice others to read the book and help the student in the explanation of a particular character, scene, or problem.  I am always pleased with the depth and complexity of many of the students. The children have explored Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, and Realistic Fiction.   

The 5th grade GATE students at Fairmont are strengthening their creative writing skills as they include similes and metaphors in their expanded sentences. Students are learning to identify and interpret excellent descriptive writing in novels as they read together in class. As a culminating activity to their reading of the historical novel, The Sign of the Beaver, students are learning to write scripts and role play scenes relating to this story.

The 6th grade is very excited about what is happening at Fairmont.  Our ancient civilization study has taken us to Mesopotamia and now to Egypt. We have used different resources to research topics on which we will be experts.  As our discussion reaches that topic each one of us shares our knowledge on that topic.

The rest of the year will take us to the Asian communities of Indus Valley and China plus a stopover in Europe's Greece and Rome.  At the end of the year we will take on a character that we have studied and role play that person in the Walk through Ancient Civilizations Program. We will combine Language Arts and geography and research and write a pretend biography of a typical day of an animal native to the continent we studied.  We will present ourselves as that animal in first person point of view to the class. 

In math, we are working in the pre-algebra text.  This challenging curriculum is preparing us for algebra in 7th grade.  We also have a math lab once a week, which gives us a different format to problem solving and experience working with three-dimensional materials.The activities range from weighing and counting M&Ms, making circle graphs of the percent to building polyhedrons and working with geo boards.

The Language Arts program for the 6th Grade GATE students at Fairmont is multifaceted, with readings from a variety of genre, including novels, short stories, poetry, plays and nonfiction articles. Students are studying Latin and Greek word cells and practicing the District-adopted Step-Up-To-Writing method of expository writing. They participate weekly in collaborative groups to share research, ideas, and written analysis, using Sandra Kaplan’s inquiry-based techniques. A culminating activity will be performing a musical comedy. 

In science the focus is Geology. Students are learning how to conduct labs and write up reports.  As part of their study of Plate Tectonics, students will form seismic engineering teams to construct earthquake resistant "buildings" and then test them with different types of earthquake waves.

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Glenknoll Elementary School

Bright and talented students will become analytical thinkers, creative producers and practical problem solvers by participating in the cluster program at Glenknoll.

For the art lover we offer the Art Masters program as well as many opportunities for independent self expression. Using famous artists and their unique styles as a jumping off point we encourage students to create still-lifes, landscapes, collages, and 3-dimenisional sculpture. This year we have an after school art club which offers students a chance to further stretch their artistic muscles.

Love acting? Each year many musical productions are launched at Glenknoll. The 6th grade musical is always on a wide variety of topics from Geology to Macbeth or Theseaus to Great Americans, the students love to be involved in these dramatic presentations.

Are you a joiner? Glenknoll has several after school clubs. There are leadership opportunities, a book club, a newspaper, and Glenknoll TV for the future newscasters out there.  The GATE students have an opportunity to participate in FSEA-- Future Scientists and Engineers of America.  These students will meet weekly after school with an enthusiastic engineer to create catapults, windmills, popsicle stick bridges, and more.  Working in teams of two, this competitive club introduces the students to the concept of designing, building and testing their creations.

The History Buffs will enjoy our simulations. In 4th grade the "Walk through California" simulation allows students to experience our state from it’s origin as a state.5th grade students will explore the Revolutionary War and  in 6th grade the students will go back to ancient civilizations as an actual figure from history. Dressed in costume with props they will perform their part as well as participate in a student created skit.

For the scientists out there we have many opportunities for you to invent, create, build, or destroy. Hands-on, inquiry based science is evident in the classrooms as students use the materials we provide to re-create scientific experiments.

Math lover? Well, we cater to you and your passion. The teachers collaborate to give high achievers the optimum math environment. While all the standards are taught and tested students will also enjoy budgeting, designing, and building toothpick bridges or completing algebra puzzles, solving logic based problems, or even learning how to budget and save money. Interest centers are utilized to give students the opportunity to explore different areas of the math curriculum

Is language arts your favorite subject? Well, we have literature circles, literature clubs, and lots of tiered activities to hold your interest. The students will explore many genres of literature as well as have opportunities to meet at the public library every three weeks to further explore the magical world of literature. After reading a book a student could write a play, perform a reader's theater, write and perform a rap, collaborate and invent a literature talk show, or a host of other activities. If you have a yen for writing then you will have an opportunity to write poetry, Greek tragedies, plays, diary entries, newspaper articles, an online blog, and even your life story. 

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Glenview Elementary School

Glenview is proud to offer its GATE students a program that presents challenge, provides encouragement, and promotes creativity. Clustered in small groups within the regular classroom, GATE students can enjoy intellectual peer interaction while pursuing content standards at their own elevated level. With teachers specially trained in Differentiated Instruction, students are supported as they move at their accelerated pace, utilize higher level thinking skills, and pursue areas of personal interest via Independent Study.

With attention to Learning Styles and Gardner's Intelligences, Glenview strives to meet the needs of its highly capable students. Students are encouraged to take risks and to create sophisticated end products that demonstrate, in imaginative ways, what they have learned. They go beyond the basic content to conduct individually designed research projects. Gifted students can option out of material they have already mastered and proceed with enrichment opportunities.

The Glenview GATE program incorporates the Dimensions of Depth and Complexity, the Content Imperatives, and the Scholarly Traits in order to instill critical thinking skills in its students. An emphasis is also placed on organization and study skills. The Glenview goal is that regardless of individual differences, Glenview's gifted students will emerge with self-reliance, resiliency, profound curiosity, and all-around academic excellence.

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Golden Elementary School

Golden proudly houses the GATE magnet program for the west side of the district for those schools feeding into El Dorado. The program offered at Golden is a comprehensive one that challenges and meets the needs of all our students. We focus on a unique program design that effectively ensures articulation between grade levels giving each student a fluid transition for their time spent at Golden. "For every gifted child who is not allowed to reach his or her potential, there is a lost opportunity. That child might eventually have composed a concerto, found a cure for a terminal disease, or developed a formula for work peace." - Carl Rogers

Our goals are to:

  • provide a high quality educational program that encompasses the state content standards in all curricular areas
  • develop organizational and study skills
  • facilitate the use of technology
  • foster the development of critical thinking
  • communicate effectively
  • nurture each students social and emotional development
  • cultivate an internal motivation for learning

As a California Distinguished School, Golden offers a wide variety of opportunities for our GATE magnet students. In addition to an extensive after-school program offering classes Monday-Friday, the students can also choose to participate in Math Field Day, "Walk-Through" Assimilations, Musical Theater Productions, Golden Eagle University, Book Clubs, Shakespeare Performances, Philanthropic Activities, and many more.

GATE students at Golden are placed in self-contained classrooms with other GATE students. Golden currently has 5 GATE magnet classes for the 07-08 school year. All GATE teachers at Golden have been trained in Differentiated Instruction and most have participated in the California Association of the Gifted Sandra Kaplan training at USC on the elements of Depth and Complexity and Content Imperatives. Our staff is knowledgeable in regards to the cognitive and social/emotional needs of gifted students. The teachers facilitate a positive working environment using authentic curriculum in which all students feel challenged and safe.

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Lakeview Elementary School

Lakeview Elementary, the newest PYLUSD elementary school, is proud of its rigorous academic program where all students are highly motivated to excel in their areas of strength and improve in areas where they are challenged. Our goal, for our GATE students, is to provide opportunities to fully develop their interests and strengthen their knowledge, challenge their abilities to reach their full potential, while maintaining a sense of class community.

Lakeview's GATE program provides opportunities for its GATE identified and high achieving students in all curricular areas through the use of differentiated instruction, curriculum compacting, and special activities. GATE students at Lakeview are clustered within the regular education classroom with teachers who have been trained in instructional differentiation. Clustering provides students the opportunity to have higher level and more complex discussions with fellow GATE and high achieving classmates. In the cluster setting, GATE and high achieving students have the opportunity to compact the regular class curriculum and progress through the standard text at a faster pace or receive next grade level supplemental materials on focused concept areas in math and language arts.

The teachers at Lakeview are fortunate to continue to receive comprehensive staff development in differentiating curriculum and are adding materials to support this philosophy. All students, from the identified gifted to the learning challenged have abundant opportunities to have their academic needs met. Together with our regular population, our 4th and 5th grade GATE students are encouraged to continue to reach their full academic potential.

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Linda Vista Elementary School

GATE students at Linda Vista Elementary School are grouped in clusters within the regular education classroom. Their teachers provide them with a variety of challenging opportunities in all areas. Whenever possible, students engage in higher-level thinking assignments and activities promoting logic and problem solving. Differentiation is used in all core subject matters to challenge each and every student to reach his/her academic potential.

4th graders are compacting in math and have the opportunity to accelerate through 5th grade math concepts with individualized contracts in each mathematical area. They are also offered enrichment through more challenging daily assignments. These high achieving students also have the opportunity to participate in Internet mathematical problem-solving activities.

In language arts, our fourth grade GATE students meet in an advanced literature group to read novels and explore and analyze them to promote deeper understanding of the literary work. The process of compacting has the students motivated and excited to do well! Our PTA has purchased the Scholastic "Reading Counts" program to encourage and reward all students for extending their reading.

Social studies in 4th grade offers all sorts of challenging opportunities for our GATE students. Some choose to write journal entries from the points of view of different explorers, while others choose to further develop their map skills. 

5th grade at Linda Vista is a very exciting year. Our GATE and very high achieving students are pulled out of the regular classroom four times each week to participate in two special math classes with challenge and problem solving activities, an extra challenge reading group, and an extra computer class where they explore and compare informational websites, tryout various science websites, and build projects using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. They also have daily challenge opportunities in most areas of the curriculum. 

In math, our GATE students are offered daily enrichment activities along with the option of moving on to the sixth grade curriculum. Our pull-out math classes occur as the rest of the class is reviewing concepts already taught or working on needed skills.

In social studies, we engage in many interactive colonial activities including Colonial Day, Walk Through the American Revolution, Riley's Farm Revolutionary War Reenactment, and Jamestown Journals. Students also give historical character speeches from the perspective of Colonial Americans. Debates are an ongoing activity with our 5th grade GATE and high achieving students, as are in-depth discussions, complex projects, and creative study guides.

Our 4th and 5th grade GATE students are encouraged to try our after school science labs. Our fifth grade students explore many hands on water and weather activities that include challenging labs for high achieving students, using the scientific method and various weather websites. they are able to track hurricanes and big stoms and forecast the week's weather!

Linda Vista students are challenged to incorporate a variety of learning styles to maximize their potential and build critical thinking skills through all areas of the curriculum. We want to enable these students to become studious, self-motivated, and resourceful leaders!

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Mabel Paine Elementary School

Each year here at Mabel Paine we provide specific individualized academic enrichment opportunities for our GATE cluster students. The students are challenged and encouraged to reach for their personal best in each and every project and assignment. Students are expected to push themselves towards individual areas of strength while continuing to strive for excellence in all other academic areas.

The GATE cluster students work with teachers that have been trained in differentiated instruction, as well as in, the correct implementation of higher level thinking "Depth and Complexity Icons".

In the area of technology students are participating in a number of activities: from creating “Web Pages” for novels read during Book Clubs, to researching information on historical events, authors, book reviews, math and more.  The kids are also involved in our first after school “Internet Class”, in which the kids participate in “Class Chat Rooms”, “Discussion Boards” and numerous other assignments and activities.

The students are also experiencing a differentiated curriculum with their studies of mathematics.  With expanded sessions focusing on Algebra, Problem Solving, Logic, and Core studies in the basics.  Students also have the opportunity to explore advanced level mathematics through weekly investigations and projects.

In reading this year the students and teachers are reading through the entire Chronicles of Narnia series, as well as, continuing to read and explore higher level novels and authors. We are utilizing the Depth and Complexity icons in order to look more deeply into the authors' intent and messages within the novels. GATE students are preparing to organize, plan, and implement a small group "Book Club" for their reading.

We have also been writing up a storm with poetry, creative writing pieces, and essay writing across the domains. Our lessons, assignments, and projects are tiered across the curriculum in order to meet the needs of each individual student.

In Social Studies the students have the opportunity to complete an individualized research/independent research study on a variety of historical themes, including: The Gold Rush, California Missions, and the Revolutionary War. The students will also have the unique opportunity to learn about the Justice system through an Interact Unit.

Science continues to have a hands-on approach through the use of Interact Units. Such units include the study of Electricity, Oceans, and an Invention unit where the kids become inventors.

Lastly, the Arts continue to be an important part of the curriculum. We include studies of the art masters and creating student masterpieces along with having various "Art Days". We also have an annual play in which the students sing, act, and perform for an enchanted week of performances.

Enriching, extending, and flourishing continue to be our goals and expectations for all students at Mabel Paine.

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Melrose Elementary School

In our fourth year of operation, Melrose is proud to offer a comprehensive program that challenges and meets the needs of its GATE students.  Melrose recognizes that GATE students require a differentiated curriculum that meets their individual needs. GATE students are clustered together in grades 4-5. Teachers of all our clustered students have been trained in differentiated instruction.  Many different strategies are utilized to ensure that each student is being challenged and provided with opportunities to succeed. Lessons are designed so that each student, as an individual, is working to their full potential.

Each GATE student has the option of working with the teacher to develop a Personalized Education Plan (PEP) that outlines his/her specific goals for the year.  These areas of focus can relate to academics, study skills, and/or social-emotional growth.  Students are allowed to “compact out” of material they have already mastered and pursue individual areas of passion through Independent Study and Research & Design Projects.  All GATE students seek to excel in the mastery of the core curriculum standards.

Melrose recognizes that parental involvement is vital to the success of students.  Teachers seek to encourage GATE parent involvement through good communication, parent participation in the PEP, and notices of speakers and workshops on issues relevant to the well-being of GATE students.  Parents, teachers, and students work together to ensure student success.

At Melrose we strive to provide a well-rounded education to all students.  The opportunities, challenges, and skills that GATE students learn, practice, and master within the classroom setting will help them to succeed in their future school experiences.

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Morse Elementary School

Morse Elementary School is committed to providing a challenging and engaging educational program that meets the needs of its GATE and high achieving students. Students in grades 4-6 are clustered within the regular education classrooms where all teachers have been trained in differentiated instruction. Lessons are designed so that each student, as an individual, is working up to their full potential. Special emphasis is placed upon teaching students the art of questioning techniques to engage them in critical thinking.

We take pride in offering a monthly academic academy, which is a two-hour time block where GATE and high achieving students participate in rewarding and motivating activities in the areas of science, math, language arts, and computer technology. Topics scheduled for academies this year include: Art, Geography, U.S. History and Science. All teachers in grades 4-6 are actively involved in teaching these classes on a rotational basis. For a permanent record of accomplishments, each student maintains an individual portfolio of all work completed in the academies. Field trips to places such as, museums, local businesses and CSUF encourage students to begin thinking about their future career paths.

 In addition to the academies, Morse students are provided with leadership opportunities in Student Council, the production of ourschool newspaper, "The Scoop" and the publication of our “Wild Cat” magazine. As in the past, parents who have any journalistic experience are welcome to volunteer with these two publications.  Students are taught interviewing skills, how to take a poll and produce a high quality product! This year, the Scoop includes the following members: a staff photographer, advice columnists, movie critics, sports editor, a Man & Woman on the Street column, a technology column and co-editors.

Although all teachers utilize flexible grouping to accommodate the needs of advanced learners in their classroom, students in the upper grades are leveled for math and in 6th grade, the accelerated class is instructed in the Dolciani Methods and Structures Course II. Our challenging math programs are designed to ensure students reach their highest potential and to prepare them for honors classes in middle school. In addition, a strong emphasis on explicit direct instruction and hands on real-world math situations bring life experiences into the classroom.

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Parkview

Parkview School offers an independent study program for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Each student works independently at home on a curriculum based on the state standards with daily instruction usually provided by a parent. A credentialed district teacher meets regularly with the family for planning, designing instructional strategies and accountability.

Parkview offers high school courses that meet the A through G requirements of the University of California and California State University systems. Parkview also offers High School AP courses that can be taken at a PYLUSD comprehensive high school site as well as at Parkview. We are also a member of the National Junior and High School Honor Society.

Independent study can be an excellent alternative for a student who is working at a GATE level! Parkview does not have a specific GATE program, but since each student is working independently a unique, standards-based program can be tailored to meet the needs of each student. While completing the standard curriculum requirements, gifted students at Parkview often find they have time to pursue their own special interests and projects at their own pace, whether it is reading, research, writing, math, history , science, technology or other area of interest. Research and projects can often be done in the community, providing hands-on and first-hand contact with community resources for the student.

While enrolled at Parkview, our students may also access selected classes or activities at their district school campus. In addition to all this, Parkview staff is also working to offer our students opportunities to take part in such challenges as Leadership Classes, Musicals, Essay Writing Contests, Geography Challenges, Physical Fitness Programs, Community Service Programs, District GATE Club and other such special activities. For more information, you may contact Parkview School by phone at (714) 993-6647 or by email at jhowland@pylusd.org

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Rio Vista Elementary School

Rio Vista is proud to offer a comprehensive program that challenges and meets the needs of its GATE students. In an effort to foster intellectual peer interaction, GATE students work together in groups of five to eight students for core subjects. These clusters are placed in rooms with teachers who are trained in Differentiated Instruction.

Attention to the Dimensions of Depth and Complexity, the Scholarly Traits, Content Imperatives, and Learning Styles assures that these students will utilize higher level thinking skills, proceed at a pace commensurate with ability, and create exciting, unique product.

Each student works with the teacher to develop his/her specific goals for the year. These areas of focus can relate to academics, study skills, and/or social-emotional growth. Students Òcompact outÓ of material they have already mastered and pursue individual areas of passion through Independent Study and Research & Design Projects. All seek to excel in the mastery of core curriculum standards.
Curricular Highlights include:

Accelerated Reader: Students choose to read books in their specific Zones of Proximal Development. This allows GATE students to read literature several years above grade level. After enjoying a book, a student takes a quiz for points. As students aim for "personal best," they are increasing vocabulary and comprehension and getting exposure to advanced themes and literary styles.

Scientific Inquiry: At the conclusion of a Beckman Science Unit, GATE students are encouraged to design and carry out a scientific experiment. It will have all the components of actual inquiry - a question, hypothesis, procedure, and most exciting of all, results! A proper scientific notebook will document the discovery; and who knows where it will lead?

Rio Vista recognizes that GATE students require a differentiated curriculum that meets their needs. Rio also recognizes that students need to belong. In an effort to promote good citizenship and teamwork, Rio Vista's slogan is T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) Rio Celebrates Learning. It's a place where the social and emotional well-being as well as the cognitive development of students is important. It's Great to be GATE at Rio!

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Rose Drive Elementary School

Rose Drive is proud of its stimulating academic program where students are encouraged, challenged, and highly motivated to excel in the areas of strength and improve in the areas where they are most challenged.

 GATE students at Rose Drive are clustered within the regular education program with teachers who have been trained in differentiated instruction.  The GATE program provides opportunities for its highly capable and GATE identified students in all curricular areas through the use of differentiated learning and instruction, compacting, independent research, and assessment.  Each cluster teacher creates a collaborative environment in which fellow GATE and highly capable students are able to work in a friendly welcoming environment.  This collaborative environment allows for higher-level discussions and creative end products.  Throughout the year, the teachers provide the students with opportunities for acceleration, enrichment, depth and complexity, and a variety of challenging educational experiences. 

Learning the core curriculum through their area of giftedness and matching their assessment to the area of giftedness is key.  For example during the study of Colonial America a student might exhibit their learning of different aspects of daily life by constructing a village that displays the content knowledge of the standard.   Learning and expanding upon the contents standards in Earth Science students show their knowledge by creating a PowerPoint presentation importing graphics and research acquired through the use of Internet or news articles on igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.  Students might dramatize life as a pioneer through writing a play and producing it with their friends through the use Rose Drive’s Video/Laptop lab to illustrate content knowledge.

GATE cluster teachers at Rose Drive continue to receive comprehensive development in differentiating the curriculum with the use of depth and complexity training.  We continue to add materials to support teachers and students in their quest for higher achievement and inquisitiveness.

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Ruby Drive Elementary School

DISCOVER and GATE identified students are clustered within the mainstream classrooms at Ruby Drive. These students are provided additional enrichment opportunities during and after school hours. Our goal is to challenge our students so that each can fully develop his/her potential.

GATE students, along with their parents and classroom teachers, develop a Personal Education Plan to help individuals strive for success. Student and parent input is used to determine areas of strength and to set goals for the school year. GATE students are given the opportunity to work at an accelerated pace in order to meet their individual needs.

DISCOVER/GATE students have the opportunity to participate in the after-school CASA program. This program provides direct homework supervision, sports activities and enrichment opportunities.

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Sierra Vista Elementary School

GATE students at Sierra Vista Elementary School are clustered within the regular educational classroom. The teacher provides them with opportunities for enrichment, acceleration, and a variety of challenging educational experiences. Clustering provides the students with the opportunity for higher and more complex levels of discussions with their fellow GATE students. Special activities are designed and implemented with the input of the students. These activities reflect the interests and needs of the distinct cluster.

The teachers of our cluster students have all been trained in Differentiated Instruction and Depth and Complexity.  Many different strategies are utilized to ensure that each student is being challenged and provided with opportunities to succeed and excel. Students participate in book clubs/discussion groups, literature circles, Latin and Greek root studies, creative writing, in depth study and research, math acceleration, and leadership within the classroom and the school.  Our GATE students organize and implement “The Sierra Vista Annual Spelling Bee.”  In a cross-grade curricular process, students learn how to become an expert in an academic area of their choice.  They then present their knowledge to their fellow classmates.

In the content area of social studies, the fourth grade cluster develops enrichment activies for the Gold Rush unit.  The fifth grade cluster plans an interactive “Colony Day” to enhance their curriculum.  The sixth grade cluster prepares and implements a formal collegiate debate regarding controversial social studies’ topics. 

Here at Sierra Vista we strive to provide a well-rounded education to all students. The opportunities, challenges, and skills the GATE students learn, practice, and master within the classroom setting will help them to succeed in their academic career.

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Topaz Elementary School

GATE and Discover students at Topaz are clustered when possible within the mainstream classrooms.  GATE and discover students are provided additional opportunities to address their specific needs.  Students are exposed to depth and complexity concepts in order to help foster social, emotional, and linguistic development. Students participate in activities such as literature circles, reciprocal teaching, responses to literature, and creative writing.  Additionally, in order to help foster growth in mathematics, teachers focus on problem solving strategies and students practice with the mathematics computer program Accelerated Math.  This gives students the opportunity to work to their own challenge level.  By investing in technology, Topaz is proud to offer GATE and Discover students many opportunities to research topics and create electronic projects to enhance their language ability, as well as participate in Accelerated Reader which allows students to read and check their comprehension at their established reading level by testing on the computer.

Topaz hopes to provide Gate and Discover students with these opportunities to help them achieve their highest potential.  By building vocabulary and comprehension, establishing writing strategies, and focusing on the character of the individual, Topaz GATE and Discover students develop self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning. 

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Travis Ranch Elementary School

GATE students at Travis Ranch Elementary are clustered within the regular education program with teachers who have been trained in instructional differentiation.  Each cluster teacher has created a friendly working environment in which all students can participate in challenging, enlightening, and intriguing activities, which pursue content standards at an elevated level.  Clustering provides the students with the opportunity for higher and more complex levels of discussions with their fellow GATE students.  Our goal is to provide each student with the opportunity to fully develop his or her abilities and interests while maintaining a sense of a class community.  The main focus continues to be differentiation that is rooted in the recognition of the GATE students’ differing learning characteristics and behaviors.  Difficult and demanding activities that are related to core curriculum and take into consideration the pace at which they learn, the depth of understanding, and their interest through a variety of strategies are included along with these high expectations. 

The Travis Ranch Elementary GATE students have the opportunity to participate in Destination Imagination, our after school program.  The program is designed to promote analytical thinking, creativity, practical problem solving, and teamwork.  The projects undertaken by teams of students are academically based, include a research component, and focus on one or more of the following areas:  technical and mechanical design, structural and architectural design, theatrical, literary, and fine arts, scientific exploration, and improvisation.  Teams of five to seven members work together on a team challenge and will eventually show off their solutions in a tournament against teams from other schools. 

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Tynes Elementary School

Differentiated instruction at John O. Tynes Elementary School's GATE magnet program takes many different forms. For example, students are reading high level, challenging, quality literature selections. Students choose both fiction and non-fiction works that reflect their individual interests. Their selection is explored and discussed in depth to promote deeper understanding. The Accelerated Reader program motivates students to read literature several years beyond their grade level. Individuals are encouraged to explore a variety of subject areas, from novels to science and social studies, thus expanding their own minds and sharing their knowledge with others. Students also use the internet to explore other works written by favorite authors.

Students are also being challenged in each of the math strands in preparation for the advanced math classes at Kraemer Middle School. Students are refining their problem-solving and critical thinking skills and are also participating in math lab activities. The 6th grade students are preparing to participate in the national Math Olympics. In addition, our students are doing a variety of hands-on science projects and are participating in both peer tutoring and cross-age tutoring programs in both math and science. Students also expand their research skills by exploring the internet for in-depth research for their social studies and science projects.

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Van Buren Elementary School

At Van Buren, daily activities and teacher training support and extend the learning of high achieving and GATE students at all levels by providing them with differentiated instruction. Independent work, math lab, writer's workshop and literature circles provide stimulus for all students - primary and upper grade. All fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes break into leveled groups throughout the day for core subject areas. Examples of these accelerated opportunities include high-level math lessons and alternative assignments in social studies that challenge upper graders. Sixth graders have the opportunity meet before school for math enrichment with Mr. Tait.

Van Buren has a tradition of enabling our students to meet the highest standards both academically and personally. Teachers and students work together to achieve high goals. At Van Buren, teachers assist students in meeting their emotional and personal growth through school leadership opportunities and cross-grade interactions. Teachers also work with students to prepare them for the rigor and organization needed to be successful in junior high and high school.

After completing coursework at Van Buren, and working with the teachers toward personal goals, Van Buren students are extremely well prepared for the advanced classes in Middle School as well as the IB, AP, and advanced coursework available at Valencia High School.

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Wagner Elementary School

Wagner Elementary is very proud of its GATE program as it continues to grow and change!  The GATE students at Wagner are clustered within the general education program with teachers that have been trained in the processes of differentiated instruction.  Within the academic programs, these teachers provide the GATE students with opportunities to accelerate, to enrich their learning experiences, and to be challenged in various ways. 

In addition to the differentiating within the regular classroom, Wagner’s GATE students are offered the opportunity for additional enrichment and challenges during our weekly GATE Academy.  During this time, the students participate in many unique activities including science experiments, math games, and various other extension workshops, such as the “history of rock and roll.”  This is organized by teachers but facilitated by parent and community volunteers who are experts or are interested in the specialized areas and want to share their knowledge.

Besides the GATE academies, the students also have the opportunity to explore their own interests through three independent projects.  The first activity in the fall is a science fair project where the students develop their own question and hypothesis. They work through the scientific method and must defend their work to small groups of their peers and parents.  In the winter, the students will become “desktop” experts in one area of their interest and must prepare to teach this skill or knowledge to small groups of their peers.  Finally, in the spring the students will once again research and explore a third area of interest in which they will answer an essential question.  The students will develop their own unique method of presenting their findings.  GATE students are offered the chance to try out for our Orange County Math Field Day teams.  We have sent teams for the past three years, each year winning various awards.  This year the GATE students will also take a field trip to California State University at Fullerton for a campus tour and the opportunity to participate in an geological enrichment activity in the university’s labs.

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Woodsboro Elementary School

Highly capable students, thoroughly trained teachers, and supportive parents are key reasons for the incredible success in the Woodsboro GATE Magnet program.  The greatest benefit of the Magnet program is the devoted attention that teachers are able to provide their students.  By grouping gifted students in one classroom, the teacher is able to focus on the needs of advanced learners without being divided between the needs of other learners.  This seemingly small factor of teacher attention has a great impact on the level of classroom discussions, quality of daily work, and increased time for meaningful projects.  

Our language arts and math curriculums are accelerated at least one grade level above.  Embedded in the Social Studies and Science curriculums is an enrichment strand, which includes above grade level content extensions, interactive summative performance tasks, and GATE Pathway assignments through the use of the Depth, Complexity, Content Imperatives, Think Like a Disciplinarian, and Socratic Seminars.  Because Magnet classrooms are typically free of the need for excessive review and repetition, teaching can move at a pace that is not only satisfying to advanced students, but allows time for deep questions and interesting explorations.

Synergy occurs when a group of people working together generates more ideas than a person working alone.  Our GATE Magnet classrooms display an incredible level of synergy due to having highly capable and motivated students working together.  Evidence of “iron sharpening iron” appears daily as students find inspiration and challenge in the thoughts of those around them.  Students who have been used to being the smartest in the class are suddenly challenged in a completely new way simply by being exposed to the high level thinking of their academic peers.  When students are challenged in this way, they are internally motivated to learn, and internal motivation leads to success and satisfaction with the rigorous work they are assigned.

It is extremely comforting for gifted learners to find themselves in an environment where hard work and unique thinking are valued and encouraged by their peers.  Learning with other students who are also driven to excel is a very freeing experience.  Students in Magnet classrooms support and encourage each other in ways that unparallel in a cluster classroom.  As a result, students build deep friendships that tend to last throughout their academic career.  Although one of the main reasons students hesitate to leave their home school is the fear of losing old friendships, time and time again it is the new friendships they make in the Magnet program that become one of the most important reasons students choose to continue learning in the Magnet program.

Both the cluster and Magnet programs offer an array of extracurricular activities designed to enrich the learning experiences of the gifted student. The Magnet program is unique in that it provides activities targeted towards GATE students throughout the entire school day.  We will enrich your child not just through extra activities, but through 6 ½ hours of focused attention at the level your advanced student is craving.

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