Assessment

• Universal assessment in both 2nd and 5th grade.
• Referral for GT assessment in any grade after 1st grade. All referrals go through the school site counselor and the MTSS committee.
• 98 percentile on a cognitive abilities test will be identified as gifted.
• Students qualifying for services in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades will automatically be reviewed for the purpose of determining eligibility for the School Within A School (SWAS) program (which has additional criteria).
• Students scoring at or above the 99th percentile on an individually administered assessment by a licensed clinical psychologist will be reviewed for the purpose of determining eligibility for a highly gifted and talented designation. 
• Identified gifted students in other districts must submit cognitive testing results to be reviewed by the Administrative Review Committee prior to admittance into the program.
• Students found eligible for GATE will begin receiving services (pending parent authorization) in a pull-out or collaborative model at the  beginning of second semester for students in grades 3-5. For 2nd grade students that qualify they will begin receiving services at the beginning of 3rd grade. 

School Within a School (SWAS) Model

• Three SWAS school sites; Caughlin Ranch, Drake, and Hunsberger Elementary schools. These classrooms serve the entire school district for any student that qualifies and is accepted for this program.
• The SWAS program is designed for highly and profoundly gifted students who have scored at or above the 99 percentile on an individually administered cognitive assessment.
• Classrooms are taught by a trained teacher in gifted practices.
• Bus transportation is provided by the District from the student’s zoned school to the assigned SWAS site both before and after school.
• Waitlisted students will have priority for placement the following school year before a newly identified student.

More information about SWAS can be found here: SWAS Model

For a detailed question and answer list please click here: SWAS FAQ

Itinerant Pull Out Model 

• Identified gifted students in 3rd through 5th grade.
• Minimum of 150 minutes per week of differentiated instruction.
• A GATE endorsed teacher pulls identified GATE students from their general education classrooms.
• Students work with like-minded peers using a Project Based Learning approach.
• Social-emotional lessons are incorporated throughout lessons to help build self-regulated learners.

Itinerant Collaborative Model

• Identified gifted students in 3rd through 8th grade.
• Students remain in their general education classroom.
• GATE Specialists work with teachers to plan units and lessons that meet the individualized needs of the gifted student.
• GATE specialists work directly with students to set goals for academic progress and success.
• Specialists will work with the general education teachers to assure that all gifted students receive an appropriately challenging curriculum, preparing them for honors coursework and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school.

Gifted Education Model of Support (GEMS) Model

• GEMS school sites; Billinghurst MS, Depoali MS, Herz MS, and Incline ES.
• Identified gifted students are grade level clustered in 3rd through 8th grades with a GT endorsed site-based teacher.
• Rigorous curriculum in core content areas at their zoned schools.
• Curriculum pace is appropriate for gifted students and requires greater levels of complex order of thinking.
• Administration of the model is under the direction of each school site administrator with support from the GATE office.

Magnet & Magnet-AAP Middle School Model 

• Four Magnet school sites; Clayton (Magnet-AAP), Herz, Sky Ranch and Swope.
• All identified gifted students may apply with an application into the magnet program.
• At Clayton, the Magnet-AAP program is also open to Accelerated Advanced Placement (AAP) students. Students that are not identified as gifted but have shown their high achievement in schooling are invited to apply.
• Each gifted student is placed into a matrix consisting of the following criteria; cognitive score, reading (ELA) achievement, and math achievement scores.
• If accepted, commitment forms must be returned to the GATE office by the due date or space will be forfeited.
• Transportation is only provided if the Magnet site is your zoned school.
• Accelerated and rigorous curriculum in all core subject areas.

More information about SWAS can be found here: Magnet Model

For a detailed question and answer list please click here: Magnet FAQ

GATE Institute Model

• Self-contained courses specifically designed for gifted and talented students, including the integrated math pathway.
• Flexible scheduling based on student interest and readiness.
• Full comprehensive high school experience.
• Teachers trained and endorsed in gifted and talented education.
• Integrated social emotional learning, specific to GT students.
• Dual-Enrollment in Hug High School's Health Science Academy, which has the only partnership with UNR's School of Medicine.
• Diverse music program, offering Advanced Jazz, Symphony Orchestra and AP Music Theory. 

GATE Programming and School of Choice

School of Choice is a system where Washoe County School District (WCSD) families can choose which school they want their child to attend. This process was formerly known as the variance process. WCSD has streamlined this process for our families, making it more accessible. The District will offer two windows, one in the fall and one in the spring, when families can apply to a school other than their student's zoned school. We believe students will be the most successful in the school where they feel connected and seen and with an academic program that best suits their needs. Online registration must be completed to be considered for a School of Choice placement. Please see the list of frequently asked questions: Student Accounting/School of Choice FAQs 

SWAS Enrollment

When applying for SWAS, your primary address is used to determine the SWAS school site designation. Acceptance for School of Choice does not supersede the SWAS school your student is zoned. Additionally, School of Choice requests for siblings are not determined through our office and must be submitted to Student Accounting.

GT Magnet Enrollment

When applying for GT Magnet, families can choose from the four Magnet programs: Herz, Clayton, Sky Ranch and Swope. Acceptance for School of Choice does not automatically place a student into the Magnet program. All new 6th and 7th graders must apply to the Magnet program. Existing students must contact our office if they plan to transfer to a different Magnet program. If there is space available at the new school, they will be able to continue Magnet enrollment. If the program is full, your student will be placed on a waitlist and can receive GEMS services. Additionally, School of Choice requests for siblings are not determined through our office and must be submitted to Student Accounting.