Woodsboro's GATE Magnet Program

• PYLUSD GATE  (Gifted and Talented Education) students may choose to attend the Woodsboro magnet program or their home "cluster" elementary school
• Woodsboro Elementary is a K-6 school with a diverse student population including preppy K, special day, and second language learners
• Woodsboro GATE students come from five different elementary schools in the district including Bryant Ranch, Travis Ranch, Fairmont, Glenview, and Glenknoll. It is also common for students to transfer into Woodsboro’s GATE magnet program from local private schools.
• GATE teachers are specifically trained to work with cognitively gifted students so that curriculum and classroom lessons emphasize depth and complexity, analysis, and creative problem-solving
• GATE students are amongst peers; Woodsboro is a place where gifted students meet new friends and find others who have similar interests
• A close working relationship between Woodsboro and the GATE magnet program at Kraemer ensures success for the  high percentage of students who continue on in the GATE magnet program

The GATE Schedule

GATE Language Arts

GATE Mathematics*

GATE Social Studies

GATE Science

Physical Education

Music

Computers

STEM

*Various levels of math offered

GATE LANGUAGE ARTS

The goal of language arts instruction is to prepare students to read, write, and listen critically.  Students will be exposed to both expository texts and literature and taught how to analyze them using thinking tools such as the GATE icons for depth and complexity, thinking maps, and 3-tiered levels of questions.  Students will also be given opportunities to become confident and articulate public speakers.

Strategies include but are not limited to:

• Close readings
• Collaborative group discussions
• Technology integration in the classroom
• Dramatic presentations
• Socratic seminars
• Wordly Wise and Latin roots for vocabulary development
• Literature circles
• Mock Trials/readers theatre
• Primary Source analysis such as Document Based Question (DBQ) essays

Woodsboro GATE math classes seek to have students explore mathematics through critical and creative thinking. We want our students to develop a deeper understanding through multiple representations of concepts. We strive to push the students to achieve their maximum potential and not settle for understanding algorithms and formulas.  Opportunities for advanced problem solving and team competitions through OC Math Field Day (4-5), AMC Math (6-8), Math Counts (6-8), and MOEMS (Math Olympiad of Elementary & Middle Schools 6-8) at each grade level.

Courses Include:

Compacted Grade level instruction Math 4, Math 5

Advanced 1 (Math 6-7 Accelerated)

Advanced 2 (Math 7-8 Accelerated)

Algebra I*

*Bridge program with local middle schools

The goal of our science classes is for students to master the content at the highest level and bridge their understanding to prepare for middle school curriculum. The science curriculum will begin to shift in response to the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) scheduled to be adopted in January, 2017. These goals are accomplished through:

• Hands-on experimentation
• Experience with the engineering and science design processes
• School-wide annual Science Fair project (grades 4-6) - 6th graders have the opportunity to progress to the Orange County Science and Engineering Fair
• Cross-content projects, which help student learn to apply their learning to real-life situations
• Organizational and note-taking skills through lab notebooks

Students in GATE social studies classes will become historical and global thinkers, critical readers, and writers with a background in evidence and research. Students will be able to communicate connections between historical content and modern day application.  This occurs through:

• Historical simulations
• Analyzing a wide range of primary and secondary sources and incorporating reliable historical evidence into writing
• Cross-curricular thematic units with collaboration with other content area
• Providing field trips which extend students’ historical understanding
• Document Based Questions
• Think Like a Disciplinarian

Families making a decision about where to send their child for elementary school need to make a decision that best suits their priorities. For many gifted students, the magnet program is the right option, but it is important to understand the differences.

• Magnet classes are comprised of only GATE-identified students. Cluster programs place GATE identified students with general education students.
• The magnet program moves at a rapid pace and focuses on depth of thinking, rather than skill-based instruction.
• Because the magnet program can move through the grade level curriculum at an accelerated pace, there is more opportunity to explore student interests and expand student learning beyond the general curriculum.

Woodsboro takes advantage of strong relationships with our local middles schools. Our advanced math students are able to take higher level math with an itinerant middle school teacher who travels to Woodsboro each day to instruct our students.

PROGRAM & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

You can find our bell schedule for all students here.

Woodsboro is a small, neighborhood school with a big heart.  We have an active and dedicated PTA who work together to plan activities and programs for our school.  Looking over the Woodsboro website will give you a flavor of the many activities that go on year-round.

Gifted students have an ability to think quickly, creatively, and critically beyond that of a typical general education student. GATE-only classes provide an environment where that ability can be stimulated. The discourse of discussions and application of concepts is able to take place at a much high level when the classroom is filled with like-minded students.

Our philosophy is that homework should be qualitatively different.  Homework may take longer than normal as students adjust to the rigor and high expectations of the program, however, we do not simply assign more homework.  Students can expect homework to be assigned for three reasons: to study, to practice, or to prepare to engage in an activity at school.  There is a strong technology component, and students will be trained to use Google Classroom as preparation for middle school.

If you wish to have siblings attend Woodsboro, you will need to fill out the transfer paperwork at the district office during the state-designated timeframes. Click on this link to see the deadlines for the current school year.  Students who apply to transfer in January have a better chance of being accepted than those who wait for the May transfer window, but there is no guarantee that Woodsboro will have space for siblings.  Current Woodsboro students are given priority for sibling transfers, so many parents who do not receive the initial transfer choose to have their older student come to the Woodsboro magnet program and then transfer the younger siblings the next school year.

Once a student is classified gifted, they will keep that designation through high school.  Even if you do not choose the magnet program, your child will still be classified as gifted and will be offered services at his/her home school.  The gate magnet is a unique learning environment that is not right for everyone.  That said, the Woodsboro GATE teachers are nurturing and committed to helping each student succeed.  If a student is struggling with the adjustment, we will definitely work with you to help your child become successful in the magnet program.  Although some students are more “home-sick” than others for their old school, this often wears off very quickly.  Woodsboro magnet teachers are experts at working to create class community and helping students feel comfortable and at-home in their new school.  We ask that, if you choose the Woodsboro magnet program, that you commit for the school year.  After that, you are free to return to your home school if continuing in the magnet program is not the right choice for your family.