Gifted and Talented Education - GATE
GATE services are provided for students in grades K-8
The Program is Formerly Known as Encore
Metro Nashville Public Schools strives to ensure appropriate academic services are available to students who are academically gifted and talented. Students who are academically gifted and talented perform or have the capability to perform at higher academic levels compared to others of the same age.
Academically Gifted and Talented students require sufficient access to appropriate learning opportunities to realize their full potential. The Office of Gifted and Talented Education along with MNPS Gifted & Talented Teachers work in collaboration with school leaders, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure academically gifted and talented students are afforded opportunities to participate in differentiated classes that are designed to encourage academic achievement and growth.
- The Gifted & Talented program in MNPS is called Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) and is taught by teachers with the title of Gifted & Talented Teacher (GATE Teacher).
- Students are considered for screening for GATE services using both qualitative and quantitative data, including district benchmarks and universal consideration tools.
- Eligibility for GATE services is determined using a multiple measures matrix, which includes district benchmarks and a cognitive aptitude test.
- District wide testing consideration and administration to determine GATE service eligibility takes place in the Spring semester of each school year in grades K to 7 in all MNPS elementary and middle schools (this does not include charter schools).
For more information about Gifted and Talented children, including learning more about common traits Gifted and Talented children exhibit, visit the National Association for Gifted Children website.
Spring 2024 GATE Testing
District-wide testing to determine eligibility for GATE services for the 24-25 school year will be scheduled in March and April, 2024. Both quantitative and qualitative data are considered when determining eligibility for GATE testing.
- Teachers in K-7 will complete the district's "Universal Consideration Tool" to recommend students for testing consideration.
- Parents can contact their child's school or the GATE office to ask for testing consideration for their child(ren).
Testing results from the Spring 2024 testing administration will be emailed to parents during the summer, 2024.
Pre-K GATE Classes at Robertson Academy
The GATE program offers 3-hour classes one day per week at Robertson Academy for 3- and 4-year-old gifted/talented students. To learn more about the criteria to attend classes at Robertson Academy during the 2023-2024 school year, please contact The Office of Gifted and Talented Education.
Pre-K Students
We do not test Pre-K students for early entry to GATE prior to their Kindergarten year. Students enrolled in kindergarten for the 23-24 school year at an MNPS school (not charter) may be considered for GATE testing during the Spring 2024 testing window.
Gifted and Talented Curriculum
GATE classes provide opportunities for gifted and talented students in grades K to 8 to participate in classes designed specifically for academically gifted and talented learners. The curriculum is hands-on, interactive, and problem-based with a focus on developing students' critical and creative thinking abilities. The GATE curriculum is interdisciplinary, supports Tennessee content standards, and is differentiated from curriculum taught in the general education classroom.
GATE classes meet weekly at each K to 8 school.
Questions?
If you have questions about the GATE program, please contact The Office of Gifted and Talented Education.