GATE Basic Information

GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Education. It is a district-supported program that provides enriched and advanced learning experiences for students who have been identified as gifted. Students in the program are encouraged to think critically, solve problems in creative ways, and explore topics in more depth.

Students are considered for the GATE program based on their academic abilities, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. Washoe County School District uses a universal screening process with all WCSD 2nd and 5th grade students to ensure all students have an equal opportunity to be identified. 

In addition to universal screening, students can also be referred by a teacher, parent, or an outside psychologist. 

More information can be found on our Identification page.  

Welcome to Washoe County School District. If your student was identified as GT, High Achieving or received accelerated services at their prior school, please contact our office to assist with the enrollment process through the Directory. 

Although students may be identified as gifted in earlier grades, GATE services officially begin in 3rd grade. Any student identified as Gifted and Talented in 2nd grade—whether through the NNAT-3 Universal Screener, CogAT-7, or another approved assessment (including out-of-district or independently administered evaluations)—will not begin receiving GATE services until the start of 3rd grade. New students will begin receiving services at the beginning of the school year or the beginning of second semester providing opt in paperwork is received by the GATE office by August 1st or December 1st.

In the meantime, the GATE Department provides schools with resources to enrich and extend grade-level instruction for these students upon request. Families can also access recommended enrichment materials through the Parent Resource page.

GATE students often think, learn, and process information in ways that are different from their peers. They may grasp concepts quickly, ask deep or unusual questions, or have intense interests in specific topics. Because of this, they need learning experiences that are more challenging, complex, and open-ended.

In GATE, students explore advanced ideas, work on more complex problems, and dive deeper into subjects they care about. They might participate in group projects, debates, simulations, or research activities that stretch their thinking. The program also supports students' social and emotional needs, helping them build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence in who they are as learners.

There are two main ways that students receive GATE services in Washoe County:
1. At their zoned school, with support built into their regular day, or
2. Through a special GATE program that students apply for and attend full-time at a specific site.

1. GATE at Your Zoned School

Most students receive GATE services while staying at their neighborhood (zoned) school. These models allow students to remain in their regular classrooms with the same teachers and friends while getting additional support:

• Itinerant Pull-Out: Students work with a GATE teacher in a small group setting for 150 minutes per week. These sessions focus on problem-solving, creative thinking, and advanced learning tasks in the form of a semester long project. This usually occurs at the Elementary School level.

• Itinerant Collaborative: Also called a "Push-In" model, a GATE teacher works alongside the classroom teacher to provide enriched lessons and activities within the regular class. This usually occurs at the Middle School level.

• GEMS Model: In this clustering model, gifted students are grouped together on the same team within a school, allowing them to be placed in classrooms with teachers who are trained in gifted education. These classes include a mix of GATE-identified and general education students, providing opportunities for peer interaction and collaboration. 

2. GATE Application-Based Programs

Some students may qualify for special full-day gifted programs that require an application. These programs serve students from across the district:

• SWAS (School Within a School): Full-day, self-contained GATE classrooms located at select elementary schools for qualified students in grades 3–5. Transportation is provided from the student’s zoned school to the assigned SWAS site.

• Magnet Programs: Middle school programs designed specifically for gifted learners, offering rigorous curriculum, accelerated pacing, and project-based learning in the four core subjects: Math, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Students must apply and be accepted to attend these programs. 

More information for each of these options can be found on our Models of Service page. 

Every student deserves to learn something new every day. GATE helps gifted learners grow by giving them the right level of challenge. It also helps them connect with other students who think and learn in similar ways. Parents often say that their child feels more understood and more excited about learning in GATE.

All students who qualify for GATE services must have an opt-in form on file, but this form only needs to be completed once. It confirms that the family accepts GATE services and allows the district to begin providing gifted support. This form will be sent to families directly after their student has been identified as gifted through our department. 

For students interested in specialized full-time GATE programs—such as SWAS (elementary), Magnet (middle school)—an additional application is required for each program. These programs are not automatic placements and serve students from across the district. Acceptance is based on available space and specific program criteria. More information about applications can be found on our Program Applications page. 

The GATE Department uses program-specific applications to determine student placement into services like SWAS, Magnet, and the GATE Institute. These placements are not determined through the School of Choice process. 

What is School of Choice?

School of Choice is the Washoe County School District’s system for families to apply to schools outside of their zoned attendance area. This was formerly known as the variance process. WCSD offers two application windows—one in the fall and one in the spring.

School of Choice requests are handled by Student Accounting and are separate from GATE program applications. Families must still complete a GATE application to be considered for GATE services or placement in a GATE-specific program.

As students grow and their needs evolve, families may wish to explore different GATE service models. Changes in GATE services can occur when:

• A family wants to switch from zoned school support (like pull-out or GEMS) to an application-based program such as SWAS or Magnet.

• A student is transferring to a different school or program within the district.

• A student no longer needs the same level of gifted support.

To request a change in services, families should contact the GATE Department. Service changes depend on eligibility, space availability, and program criteria. Some transitions, such as entering SWAS or Magnet, require an application and formal placement process.

If you’re considering a change in services or have questions about your student’s placement, we encourage you to reach out to our team for guidance through the Directory.