GATE/Competitions

Number of Days/Week	K-6th	7th-8th	9th-12th
5 days (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri)	$700	$750	$800
4 days (Any 4 days/week)	$650	$700	$750
3 days (Any 3 days/week)	$550	$600	$650
2 days (Any 2 days/week)	$450	$500	$550

Number of Days/Week	K-6th	7th-8th	9th-12th
5 days (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri)	$600	$650	$700
4 days (Any 4 days/week)	$550	$600	$650
3 days (Any 3 days/week)	$450	$500	$550
2 days (Any 2 days/week)	$350	$400	$450

Schedule	Day & Time	K-6th	7th-8th
Schedule A	M-Th 9-12 pm	$175	$200
Schedule B	M-F 9-12 pm	$200	$225
Schedule I	M-Th 9-3 pm	$200	$225
Schedule II	M-Th 9-6 pm	$225	$250
Schedule III	M-F 9-3 pm	$225	$250
Schedule IV	M-F 9-6 pm	$250	$275

Number of Days/Week	1st - 6th	7-8th	9-12th
5 days	$600	$650	$700
4 days (Any 4 days/week)	$550	$600	$650
3 days (Any 3 days/week)	$450	$500	$550
2 days (Any 2 days/week)	$350	$400	$450

Unlock Your Child's Potential with Optimus Learning School's GATE Test Preparation Program

At Optimus Learning School, we understand the deep commitment parents have to their child's education. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full academic potential. That's why we're dedicated to providing a rigorous and fast-paced learning experience for higher-level students through our GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Test Preparation Program.

What is the GATE Program?

The GATE program, short for Gifted and Talented Education, is designed to offer high-achieving students access to an enriched and challenging curriculum. It's where your child can take their education to new heights and nurture their higher-level intelligence. To become a part of the GATE program, students are required to take a test that assesses their readiness. If they meet or exceed the standards set by their school district, they are offered the opportunity to join the GATE program within their district.

Preparing Your Child for Success

At Optimus Learning School, we're here to ensure your child is well-prepared for the GATE test. Our GATE preparation program, initially designed for 12 hours, will provide your child with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the test. We cover the specific types of questions that the test will present, tailored to the requirements of your child's school district.

Going Beyond: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3

We understand that the path to excellence doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. That's why we're excited to announce the expansion of our GATE test preparation program. In addition to our core 12-hour program, we now offer three distinct levels of preparation:

Level 1: Building a Strong Foundation (12 Hours)
Level 2: Deepening Knowledge and Skills (12 Hours)
Level 3: Advanced Mastery (12 Hours)

Your child's journey to GATE success begins with Level 1, where they'll establish a strong foundation. As they progress through Levels 2 and 3, they'll delve deeper into the material and achieve advanced mastery of the test's content. This extended program, now spanning 36 hours, is designed to cater to each student's unique learning needs.

Prepare your child for the future of education by enrolling them in Optimus Learning School's GATE test preparation program. Watch them rise to new heights and discover their full potential.Our GATE preparation class will cover the types of questions the test will ask depending on which district your child attends school.

Brea Olinda Unified School District (BOUSD): Nurturing Gifted Minds

If your child attends a school in the Brea Olinda Unified School District, their journey to the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is both exciting and rewarding. Here's a comprehensive guide to how it all unfolds:

3rd Grade CogAT Assessment: In the 3rd grade, students in the Brea Olinda Unified School District undergo the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This assessment determines their eligibility for the GATE program.
4th-6th Grade Eligibility: The GATE opportunity doesn't end in the 3rd grade. Students in 4th through 6th grades may still become eligible for the GATE program. To qualify, a student requires a parent or teacher recommendation to take the CogAT test. The CogAT, or Cognitive Abilities Test, evaluates students' reasoning skills through various types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions.
Multi-Criteria Eligibility Matrix: Beyond CogAT test results, a multi-criteria eligibility matrix is a valuable tool used to evaluate students who come close to qualifying for GATE. This matrix considers more than just CogAT results; it also factors in state testing scores, teacher recommendations, and Title 5 ethnic minority criteria, providing a comprehensive evaluation.

GATE Designation: Students identified as GATE-eligible retain this designation throughout their educational journey. In Junior High, GATE-identified students follow an advanced path, gaining access to honors classes and accelerated math courses. This early exposure sets the stage for future academic success, paving the way for honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. It also opens doors to prestigious distinctions such as National Honors Society membership, Valedictorian, and Salutatorian positions.

Testing Process:

3rd-grade students:All 3rd-grade students are assessed, and no testing request is needed.
4th - 6th-grade students: A teacher and parent request is required for testing.

BOUSD GATE Identification Timeline:The Brea Olinda Unified School District follows a specific timeline for their GATE Identification process:

January 3rd - 27th: 4th - 6th-grade students submit their request for GATE testing.
January 31st - February 11th: GATE testing is administered.
February 18th - February 28th: Teacher and parent tabulation.
March 21st - April 1st: Student grade review.
April: Parents receive notification of GATE identification.

CogAT Assessment: The BOUSD utilizes the CogAT assessment, which measures students' reasoning skills in terms of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions.

GATE Cluster Classes:Once your student is identified as gifted, they are placed in GATE Cluster Classes with other GATE-identified students. These classes are led by GATE-certified teachers who provide an academically advanced curriculum to challenge and foster creativity.

Consistent GATE Identification: Just like in other school districts, your student will retain their GATE identification throughout their academic journey within the Brea Olinda School District.

Support and Growth: The BOUSD extends its support to GATE students beyond the regular classroom. Afterschool Zoom sessions are offered to enhance their learning at home. These sessions are typically scheduled on either Tuesday or Thursday, depending on your student's elementary school. The focus of these sessions may vary each year.

Setting Goals:Every year, GATE students will have the opportunity to identify their four Gate goals. In October, a student's teacher will collaborate with you and your student to decide upon the first three Gate goals. These goals encompass a wide range of areas, including academic achievement, leadership, collaboration, communication, social-emotional development, empathy, service learning, compassion, strategic thinking, individual interests, and delving into the depth and complexity of subjects. Identifying these goals empowers your gifted student to pursue their unique academic path with purpose.

Fullerton School District (FSD): Unlocking Gifted Minds

In the Fullerton School District, the pathway to the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is a well-structured process, offering equitable opportunities for gifted and talented students. Here's a step-by-step guide to understanding how it all works:

2nd Grade Screening: The journey begins with 2nd-grade screening. Fullerton School District (FSD) conducts comprehensive screening for all 2nd-grade students, identifying potential GATE program candidates.
Opportunities in 3rd-7th Grade: The GATE adventure extends beyond 2nd grade. Students who may not initially qualify in 2nd grade have further chances for assessment. They can participate in testing up to three times between 3rd and 7th grades. This opportunity is available for those who were not selected in the first round or hadn't taken the test previously. Additionally, additional testing may be recommended based on a student's progress. To initiate additional assessment, parents must submit a request form to the teacher. It's essential to note that making this request does not guarantee a student's immediate admission to the GATE program.
Assessment with Nationally Normed Cognitive Abilities Tests: FSD employs nationally normed cognitive abilities tests to assess students' verbal and nonverbal reasoning potential. These tests play a crucial role in determining a student's eligibility for the GATE program.
Fullerton School District's Commitment: Fullerton School District is deeply committed to ensuring that the GATE identification process is fair, comprehensive, and dedicated to providing equitable opportunities for gifted and talented students.

GATE Program in Fullerton School District: A Closer Look

The Fullerton School District's GATE program offers an enriching educational experience for students who have been recognized as gifted and talented. Let's delve deeper into how this program unfolds:

GATE Cluster Classes: GATE-identified students are placed in GATE Cluster Classes, creating a dynamic learning environment where they collaborate with their equally gifted peers. These specialized classes are led by teachers who have received specific training in GATE education. The curriculum and teaching methods are thoughtfully designed to cater to the unique needs of GATE students. As students progress into 7th and 8th grades, they are required to enroll in at least one GATE/Honors class, often covering subjects like Language Arts and History.
High School Transition:As students make the transition to high school, they retain their GATE identification, a testament to their continued excellence. However, to access Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) classes, they may need to meet additional criteria, ensuring they continue their academic journey at an advanced level.
GATE Test Schedule:
- 2nd Grade Testing: GATE testing for 2nd-grade students takes place in November. Parents receive notification letters detailing the testing schedule, including the option for their child to participate. Importantly, the 2nd-grade test consists of two rounds. If a student successfully passes the 1st round in November, they advance to the 2nd round in December.
- 3rd-8th Grade Testing:Students in 3rd – 8th grade who are referred and meet the criteria participate in a single round of testing.
Receiving GATE Test Results: Parents can anticipate receiving a letter with their student's test results in January. These letters are sent by the GATE office and present the results as a percentage, reflecting the student's performance in comparison to their peers on a national scale. It's important to note that the score is not solely based on the number of correct answers but on the student's performance relative to the norm for their age group.
GATE Test Content: The GATE test is an ability assessment, evaluating students' verbal and nonverbal reasoning skills. The test encompasses a range of questions, including sequencing, arithmetic problems, analogies, word definitions, and identifying similarities and differences. The identification process, mandated by the Fullerton School District, focuses on areas such as reasoning, problem-solving, verbal comprehension, verbal reasoning, pictorial reasoning, figural reasoning, and quantitative reasoning.
Choosing GATE Program Participation: Upon being identified as GATE-eligible, students have the choice to participate in the GATE program. If they decide to proceed, they may attend a designated school where they will be among other GATE students. Alternatively, they can choose to stay at their homeschool, where they will be placed in a GATE cluster class. Importantly, even if a student opts not to participate in the GATE program, they will retain their GATE identification as long as they continue their educational journey within the Fullerton School District. This ensures that opportunities remain open for every student.

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD): Fostering Gifted Minds

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District is deeply committed to providing a stimulating program for gifted and talented learners. Students in grades three through eight may qualify for the GATE program based on specific GATE identification criteria following their completion of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessment. These criteria strike a balance between achievement testing, ability testing, and other essential factors. In a nutshell, all third and fourth-grade students are screened to determine the appropriateness of GATE services, while students in fifth grade and above may be referred for testing or evaluation by their teacher, administrator, counselor, or parent.

You might be wondering about the characteristics that differentiate gifted and talented students from high achievers. To help you discern these characteristics, let's explore some distinctions between these two groups of students:

A high-achieving student demonstrates interest in the material they are learning.
A gifted learner, on the other hand, displays a curiosity that delves deeper into the material, often bringing forth complex ideas with multiple perspectives.
High-achieving students find learning manageable and often require repetition to master the subject matter.
Gifted learners, however, tend to already possess a deep understanding of what they are learning and may not need to exert as much effort to master the subject matter.

It's important to note that the GATE program identification process can vary from district to district.

The remainder of this blog will delve into the GATE program, particularly in the Placentia-Yorba Linda school district.

GATE Test Schedule:

When will your student take the GATE test? The GATE test in PYLUSD consists of two phases:

3-4th Grade Testing:In the first week of October, all 3rd and 4th-grade students will undergo the first round of testing. The second round of testing follows the subsequent week.
5-6th Grade Testing:For students in 5th to 7th grade, it is essential to register them for the GATE test. To do this, you’ll need to contact the PYLUSD GATE office.

Receiving GATE Test Results:

Starting in mid-November, parents can anticipate an email containing their student's GATE test score and identification.

School Placement for Gifted Students:

You might be wondering if your student will need to attend a different school if they are identified as gifted. The decision is yours. If your homeschool is not a magnet site, and you prefer your student to remain there, they will be placed in a group cluster where they'll receive enrichment or accelerated instruction.

Magnet Sites in PYLUSD:

Certain schools in the PYLUSD offer the magnet program. These classes are exclusively composed of gifted students, fostering an environment where gifted learners can thrive.

Elementary Magnet Sites:

Golden Elementary
John O. Tynes Elementary
Woodsboro Elementary

Determining Magnet Site Attendance:

Your home address will determine which magnet site your student will attend.

Attending the Same School for Siblings:

If only one of your students is identified as gifted and the other is not, the student identified as GATE will automatically receive an interschool transfer from the GATE office. For the student who is not identified as GATE, they'll need to complete an interschool transfer through the Student Services Department.

The GATE program is meticulously designed to cater to the learning needs of academically high-achieving students who seek academic challenges. Those identified as gifted will undoubtedly thrive in the program, enabling them to realize their full academic potential.

GATE Assessment

We have the student take our assessment test to get a better idea of the best strategy to help the student prepare for the GATE exam. The student will take a test that will assess their cognitive abilities in verbal and non-verbal reasoning. All prospective GATE students are required to participate in the online GATE assessment test. The assessment takes approximately 30-45 minutes. An evaluation for GATE students is $50. If you decide to sign up for the GATE classes afterward, your assessment fee will be credited towards your first tuition payment.

1st-6th Grade GATE Preparation Class Tuition

Private Lesson (1:1 Tutoring)
$50 / hour
Tentative Schedule:
Tuesday 5:30 - 6:30 pm

How to Take OLS GATE Prep Course

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