In accordance with the Board’s philosophy to develop the special abilities of each student, the Huntington Beach City School District has provided a program in Gifted and Talented Education for qualified students since 1971. Students in grades two through five are offered the option of a “cluster” program in their own school, or the “centered” program at Peterson Elementary School. Parents may choose the cluster or the centered program.

The centered program offers uniquely appropriate units of study beyond the regular curriculum. Students are grouped by grade level and receive differentiated instruction in all curricular areas. In the cluster program, students attend their neighborhood school and are grouped by grade level within a specific class. Instruction is differentiated using depth, complexity, acceleration and enrichment. Students enrolled in the GATE program are expected to complete projects and reports that reflect higher level thinking skills.

Identified students in grades six, seven and eight, are placed in the GATE language arts and social studies classes at both Dwyer and Sowers middle schools. Advanced skills are learned through curriculum units in research, science fiction, literature appreciation, speech and debate, study of comparative cultures, and the Renaissance. Leadership abilities, critical thinking processes, and sensitivity to the needs of others are emphasized throughout the program.

Membership in the Parent Advisory Committee is automatic to all parents whose children attend the GATE program. Meetings are held throughout the year and all parents are invited to attend.

Website Resources:

• www.SENGifted.org (SENG - Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted)
• www.nagc.org (NAGC - National Association for Gifted Children)
• www.cagifted.org (CAG - California Association for the Gifted)   
• www.hoagiesgifted.org/educators.htm (Hoagies' Gifted Education Page - Educators Section - One of the best all-purpose resource on the web.)

GATE TESTING

The district provides a special program for students who are intellectually gifted. Children in grades 1 – 7 who perform extremely well on the district-administered Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) and other standardized measurements may qualify for identification as Gifted and Talented (GATE). If you think your child might qualify for identification and you would like to have him or her assessed, a GATE Assessment Consent form may be submitted on the Huntington Beach City School District website at: www.HBCSD.us from October – December, by clicking Parents, Parent Portal, GATE Assessment Consent Form, or by contacting Debbie Bartlett in the GATE office at (714) 964-8888 ext. 2036