Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

The EGUSD program for gifted, talented, and high potential students will discover and nurture students with an exceptional level of performance in diverse areas of expression. The program will equitably and collaboratively engage students and their families to access rigorous instruction with support for intellectual, social and emotional needs.

To support GATE students each school has a program to meet the needs of their students. This program is aligned and integrated with the school’s curriculum and instruction. The program is developed with the collaboration of the school principal, the school GATE coordinator, and the input of students and their guardians. EGUSD does not transfer students to a new school for GATE services.

The benefits for students participating in the GATE program at their school include:

Engaging students in challenging learning to promote creativity and critical thinking
Developing thinking skills and “habits of mind” to support future success in rigorous courses
Introducing students to areas of interest that can be pursued in middle and high school
Beginning the path for students to potentially skip introductory college courses and earn college credit while still in high school

GATE identification begins in third grade. Students may be identified for exhibiting exceptional ability in one of two areas: Cognitive Ability or Academic Ability.

All third-grade students are tested for identification in the Cognitive Ability area using the NNAT assessment by winter break of each year. Additionally, new identifications are made for Academic Ability each fall. The District communicates GATE identification information directly to families.

For more information regarding identification and services, please contact the GATE Coordinator at your child’s school.

GATE Program
Alicia Canning – Program Specialist

(916) 686-7712

Mailing Address:
GATE Program
School Improvement Support
Elk Grove Unified School District
9510 Elk Grove Florin Road
Elk Grove, CA 95624