Forest Hills Public Schools

All Learners Achieving Individual Potential

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Gifted Education Model

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

G.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 Challenge classes. The videos and documents below are your “gateway” to learning more about our elementary and middle school services.

G.A.T.E.Ways K-5 Information

All communication regarding testing is provided through this web page. Only kindergarten families will receive a letter with testing information. Families with students in grades 1-5, who are interested in testing, may go directly to the nomination form linked below.

Screening for gifted education has begun for the 2019-20 school year and testing is required to determine eligibility. A nomination form to request testing must be completed by midnight on Feb. 11, 2019. This form is appropriate for:

  • families with kindergarten students,
  • families with students in grades 1-5 who are new to the district,
  • families with students in grades 1-5 who wish to test their child for the first time,
  • families with students in grades 1-5 wishing to retest their child for the final time.

The nomination window to request gifted testing is now closed for the 2019-2020 school year.

FHPS K-5 2019 Testing Schedule

  • Ada Elementary: February 21 and March 1
  • Ada Vista Elementary: February 25, March 7, and March 19
  • Collins Elementary: March 4 and March 21
  • Knapp Forest Elementary: March 8 and March 13
  • Meadow Brook Elementary: February 20 and March 11
  • Orchard View Elementary: March 6 and March 18
  • Pine Ridge Elementary: March 12, March 15, and March 19
  • Thornapple Elementary: February 26 and March 20

Please note, that while every effort has been made to secure the most desired testing accommodations, these dates may be subject to change.

Sixth-Grade Information for Incoming Seventh-Graders Interested in Challenge Classes

Informational letters will be sent home with sixth-grade students on March 1, 2019.

Each FHPS middle school has their own application to apply for Challenge Class testing for incoming seventh-graders. Applications for 2019-2020 incoming seventh-graders will be accepted from Monday, March 4, at 9 a.m. through Monday, March 18, at 9 a.m.

The application window to request gifted testing is now closed for the 2019-2020 school year.

If you have any questions regarding G.A.T.E.Ways or Challenge Classes, or have technical difficulties accessing the forms, please e-mail gateways@fhps.net or contact the Instruction Department at 616-493-8575.