Westlake Charter School's GATE Program
The goal of the Westlake Charter School’s GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Program is to provide differentiated learning opportunities during the regular school day for our students. Differentiation is an effective approach to teaching and learning. It provides flexibility in the core curriculum so that students may learn at their own ability levels and at their own pace. Promoting academic excellence, perseverance, student responsibility and joyful learning are key components of our program.
If a student is a GATE identified student, he/she is placed in a GATE cluster classroom for the following school year. This is a research-based program in which GATE-identified students (generally 2-6 students in primary grades; 2-8 students in upper grades) are grouped together within the mixed-ability classroom. Teachers provide differentiated instruction to meet the unique needs of these students. Differentiated instruction for students/advanced learners may include, but is not limited to, flexible grouping, acceleration, in-depth study, complexity, and novelty. This may occur daily or periodically throughout the year. Differentiated activities are conducted as an integrated part of the regular program. Supplemental materials and technology may also be used to enhance the basic curriculum.
