How to apply for GATE Preschool

Beginning Thursday, March 1, 2012, parents or legal guardians may come to the GATE Office to fill out an application form for the child to be tested for the GATE Preschool Program.

The child must be 4 years old by July 31, 2012. Please bring a copy of the child's birth certificate when making the appointment.

Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm.
For more information, please call the GATE office at 475-0598/0552.

You may download a copy of the application here.

About the GATE Preschool Program

The GATE Preschool provides daily sessions at six elementary schools on the island. Children who are four (4) years of age by July 31 of each school year are eligible to be considered for the program. Public Law 14-45 passed in 1977 mandates the gifted education preschool program.

The curriculum of this program is specifically designed for four (4) year old gifted children. It is meant to be a well-rounded program to meet their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs without pressure and unnecessary structure. It is meant to be a balance between acceleration and enrichment activities. It is not intended to replace kindergarten. Its intentions are to allow the children to function at all levels at which they are ready, while providing them with a background of experiences that will help them to be eager and effective learners.

The GATE Preschool program is a one year program. At the end of the Preschool year the children will return to the school in their district and must re-qualify for the GATE Elementary Program once in Kindergarten.