Gates Elementary

The Gates School, built in 1968, has 17 classroom sections in grades K-6. The building contains a library, cafetorium, and a gymnasium. Classrooms are designed to be heterogeneous and are primarily self-contained, which means that one teacher is responsible for teaching all subject areas. Presently we have a student population of 366, with class sizes that range from 18-24.

Illustrative Mathematics is our math curriculum that is aligned with the Common Core math standards and is being taught to students in grades K - 6. In language arts, teachers assess students by using the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System. Students are divided into small, guided reading groups with children who share similar abilities. We have expanded our guided reading library collections of fiction and non-fiction text. In addition to our guided reading library, teachers use a variety of resources such as Words their Way, Fundations phonics program, and novels. Lucy Calkins, Empowering Writers and the Six Traits model are applied in teaching writing skills. System-wide topics are covered in science and social studies. Learning is enhanced through related field trips and special in-school presentations. Students enjoy participating in specials each week, which includes art, music and physical education. We are pleased to offer an extra rotating special so that all students are able to participate in an extra art, music or physical education for a total of four specials each week.

The Gates School parent community continues to be a very active and supportive group to the life of the school through the PTO and School Council. The PTO provides the funding for cultural enrichment programs and other school activities. The PTO also provides volunteer services, conducts school-wide social functions, and supports a variety of sixth traditional Grade activities such as the Yearbook, Nature’s Classroom, the Sixth Grade Play, and the Sixth Grade Social.

The Gates School core values focus on generosity, acceptance, trust & respect, enthusiasm, and scholarship. Each month the school participates in an All School Meeting where we gather together and celebrate core values through song, performances, stories, and plays. All classrooms participate in book buddies where our younger students are paired with older students to celebrate literacy. Students are proud to have flags from their countries displayed in the cafeteria.

The Gates School offers both a before and after school extended day program that is run by Community Ed. In addition to childcare, students enjoy participating in chorus, band, strings and the green team. Enrichment activities are also offered before and after school. A few enrichment offerings this year included: Math Olympiad and a Morning Exercise club. We are also very invested in technology and are proud to have a Smartboard in all classrooms, 1:1 chromebooks in grades 2-6, and 1:1 iPads in grades K - 2. Our art, PE, and music specialists also integrate technology into their curriculum. We are a community of learners that value high expectations, respect individual differences, and celebrate the diversity of our school population.