The Pasadena Unified School District offers a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program for eligible students in grades 3 - 12. The GATE program is designed to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students, and to maximize their academic and social development. A differentiated core curriculum program is available to ensure positive motivation and the intellectual growth of gifted students. Classroom instruction begins with the grade level core curriculum and is differentiated based upon student need and ability ensuring positive motivation and the intellectual growth of gifted students.

What makes the GATE Program Unique?

The cornerstone of the GATE Program is differentiated instruction that takes place within the classroom at all grade levels.  This method of teaching requires teachers to be flexible in their approach to teaching and adjust the curriculum and presentation of information to individual learners. Classroom instruction is differentiated based upon student need and ability ensuring positive motivation and the intellectual growth of gifted students. This program and method ensures positive motivation and the intellectual growth of gifted students

While differentiated instruction is applied at all grade levels, the GATE Program encompasses several other opportunities for enrichment experiences for GATE students.     

Identification of Students

Student eligibility for participation in the GATE program begins in second grade.

• All students in 2nd and 5th grade are assessed using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Form 7
• Parents, teachers, and administrators can recommend students in grades 3-11 to participate in GATE testing