Gifted and Talented (GATE)

SCUSD is committed to supporting gifted and high-ability students. Instructional services for Gifted and Talented students are based on the principles that all students have potential and should have equal opportunities to develop their individual capabilities, interests and needs.

Gifted/Advanced Academic services are available for students in grades 2-12 and offer challenging learning opportunities that follow the Common Core State Standards in depth, breadth, and pace of instruction designed to meet the needs of advanced learners. Adaptations are made to the curriculum in order to provide Differentiated Instruction with an emphasis on critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and logical reasoning.

Elementary School
Middle School

Elementary School

At the elementary school level, SCUSD offers three GATE models:

GATE School-Wide Cluster Model Services

District GATE Cohort classes serve gifted students from surrounding schools, as well as their own students. GATE classes in GATE Centers are composed of predominately GATE identified students. These classes are taught by teachers who have completed their SCUSD GATE Certificate.

GATE Neighborhood Model Services

Cluster Model Programs serve gifted students from their own school. Gifted students are clustered with other GATE students in a general education classroom. GATE classes are taught by teachers who have completed their SCUSD GATE Certificate.

GATE Cohort Model Services

Students identified for GATE services are supported through in-class differentiated learning strategies at their own school site in a general education classroom taught by a teacher who has completed their SCUSD GATE Certificate.

Middle School

Students in 7th and 8th grade are not included in the GATE identification process in the Sacramento City Unified School District. Students who are identified as GATE in grades second through sixth will continue to be identified as GATE students throughout their middle and high school years. These classes include GATE identified students as well as students who have demonstrated high achievement or high potential.

All Middle Schools offer GATE classes in the core subject areas: English/Language Arts, Science, and History. Students who are advanced in Mathematics are offered courses appropriate for their level to ensure academic and mental engagement.

2025-2026 GATE Screening Information

2025-2026 GATE Services Identification Results & Placement

GATE Services Status and Notification Process

GATE screening results and screening assessment scores will be mailed to all families in grades 1 & 3. Student need for GATE services is determined through a multi-step process that includes not only the CogAT results, but also academic factors and social-emotional considerations.

GATE services eligibility letters and CogAT score reports will be mailed in Late May via US Mail.

All notifications about GATE services are sent via the US Postal Service. If you do not receive a letter by Friday, June 25th you may call the GATE Department at 916-643-9427.

All families are notified about their child’s screening assessment results and eligibility status.

The GATE Department does not share GATE screening results over the phone or via e-mail.

School Sites are not able to discuss GATE screening results.

Request Placement at a GATE Services School Site

Parents who wish to request a GATE Department facilitated transfer to a school providing self-contained GATE services are invited to do so. Space is limited at some sites, and students will be placed on Wait Lists if the class(es) are already full.

Requests can be made in one of two ways:

Call the GATE Department at 916-643-9427 for support in completing the webform.
Complete the webform via the following link:

https://forms.gle/EAzen6r8HVwaqgQc8

Webform will close Friday, June 25th

Schools providing Self-Contained GATE Services for 26-27 include:

Phoebe Hearst (Wait List availability ONLY)
Pony Express
Suy:U

2025-26 Universal GATE Screening

GATE Screening for SCUSD students in grades 1 and 3 occured in January and February.

To ensure equity among students, ALL* 1st and 3rd grade students in the Sacramento City Unified School District were screened for possible Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services identification. The district utilizes the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) as the initial screening tool in the GATE services screening process. The assessment was administered in classrooms.

Learn more about the CogAT

Students attending Dependent or Independent Charter Schools, in independent study, or those attending Waldorf Inspired Schools may not be tested. Please contact your school to learn more.

Parents who wish to Opt Out of GATE Services Screening may do so by completing an Opt Out Form, available from your child’s school office. Or by contacting the GATE Department.