Gifted And Talented Education

The JLS Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program is embedded within the heterogeneous classroom, and delivered via differentiated curriculum.  Teachers can differentiate the content, process, and/or product according to a student’s readiness, interests, and learning profile.  Instructional strategies may include homework options, independent study, open-ended projects, compacting, etc.

At JLS, emphasis is placed on meeting the individual needs of our diverse community of learners. There are two math lanes at the 7th and 8th grade level (one regular math lane and one advanced lane), and we differentiate within those classes as well. A variety of GATE opportunities, choices, and challenges are available within the regular classroom, and students are encouraged to speak to their particular teacher about options.

A sampling of school-wide opportunities includes a wide variety of electives, the Science Fair, the National Geographic Geography Bee, the Math Counts competition, the Continental Mathematics League and AMC8 (American Mathematics Contest) competitions, the Stanford Anthology for Youth, student government, the Electric Moose robotics club, the Santa Clara County Young Authors’ Faire, sports and intramural athletics, and special interest clubs.

Students are identified for the GATE Program in several ways, including prior identification for a gifted program, participation in GATE activities, classwork and test scores, teacher referral, and other alternative means. There is no annual review of their GATE "placement.” It should be noted that any student who feels he/she is up to the challenge may participate in a GATE activity or competition. JLS also has opportunities for parent involvement, such as mentoring students, running a club, accompanying students on field trips, or volunteering in the school.

GATE events that JLS offers/ participates in:


JLS GATE Coordinator
Shauna Rockson