Forest Hills Public Schools

All Learners Achieving Individual Potential

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Gifted Education Model

Gifted Education Model with four pictures of diverse students at school

Welcome to G.A.T.E.Ways!

elementary kids sitting on the floor by a locker bankG.A.T.E.Ways is the name of the Gifted Education Model in Forest Hills Public Schools. We strive to meet the needs of all learners with different levels of service. In each elementary school, every grade level has a gifted cluster teacher who is trained to work with gifted students to help them achieve their individual potential. Our middle school grades 7-8 offer an opportunity for students to test into a math acceleration class at the end of 6th grade. Students in this class then complete Math 7 and Math 8 during 7th grade and Algebra I in 8th grade.

G.A.T.E.Ways K-6 Information

girl writing in a notebook

K-6 Gifted Testing and the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (FAQ)

The application window for the 2021-22 school year is now closed. Pleased contact Gabbi Kokenakes at gateways@fhps.net, if you have questions.

Accelerated Math 7/8 Class

middle school student opening a lockerThe application window for the 2021-22 school year for incoming 7th-graders is now closed.

Please contact Gabbi Kokenakes at gateways@fhps.net if you have questions. Thank you.

Middle School Accelerated Math 7/8 Class Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Additional Resources and Questions?

What if we are new to the district?

We have a placement protocol for new families. Your new student may be placed in the gifted cluster classroom at FHPS if one of the following is present:

  • A letter that indicates the previous school has placed the child in a gifted program or for gifted services.
  • Previous gifted testing was complete and there are qualifying scores from an approved test.

If you do not meet one of the above items, we offer testing in the mid-winter of each year to new families enrolled at FHPS. Testing then occurs in the spring.

New families to our district are encouraged to contact our gifted education coordinator, Gabbi Kokenakes, by emailing gateways@fhps.net.

Where can I turn for more information about gifted education?

As a district dedicated to all learners, families still may want more information about gifted education. Here are three additional resources that can provide more information:

If you have any questions regarding the G.A.T.E.Ways program in Forest Hills, please contact Gabbi Kokenakes by emailing gateways@fhps.net.