Multiple criteria are used for admission into the Gemini program. Data is evaluated by the district Gemini committee, which will include the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, the building principals, and the district Gemini teachers.  Open admission will take place in the Spring for all students in grades 3-4 who meet the following criteria. 

Step One: Universal Screener: Spring NWEA Reading and Mathematics Assessment will be used as the screener to qualify for the next round of testing (CogAT). In order to be eligible for the CogAT testing, children must score either 

• the 90th percentile in ONE subject area and 80th percentile in the other subject area of the Spring NWEA Reading and Mathematics assessments 

• 85th percentile or higher in both subject areas of the Spring NWEA Reading and Mathematics assessments

Step Two:  If students meet either one of the above Spring NWEA criteria, the Gemini commitee will contact parents about moving students to step two in the admission process. This includes the following multiple measures:

• • CogAT: Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal subtests.

  • Teacher Survey: completed by the student’s current teacher, which includes a review of a student’s performance in areas of leadership, creativity, motivation, and learning.

  • Parent Survey: completed by the student’s parent, which includes a review of general characteristics of gifted students.

The selection process for grades 3-4 takes place after all data have been collected and reviewed. Families will be notified of the results by the end of the current school year. 

*Transfer students fall under a different timeline. 

Effective December 2025, the Gemini open enrollment policy has been revised. Beginning with the elementary graduation class of 2027, Grade 5 students who are not currently enrolled in the elementary Gemini program will no longer be assessed for admission into the Middle School Gemini Program. 

This updated admission practice supports a smoother, more successful transition into the Gemini Middle School program. By ensuring continuity in curriculum, learning experiences, and expectations throughout the upper elementary Gemini grades, students enter middle school with the skills and background knowledge needed for a confident start. In addition, middle school students will have access to enhanced enrichment opportunities outside of the Gemini program, further supporting their growth and success.

Herricks UFSD Transfer Students Policy

Gemini Program (Grades 4-5)

New entrants to Herricks Union Free School District (UFSD), in grades 4-5, who were previously identified as gifted & talented and placed in a gifted class or program  from another New York State school district, excluding summer, afterschool, or weekend enrichment programs, will have the opportunity to go through a review and an evaluation process at Herricks UFSD to determine eligibility in the gifted program. They do not receive automatic gifted identification or placement/ programming in Herricks UFSD.

The process for reviewing students gifted identification status transferring into the district is as follows:

1. The new entrant’s family contacts the receiving school’s office to notify the gifted education committee of their child’s identification and provides documentation.

2. Upon receipt of the educational records from the previous school district, including the gifted identification documentation, the gifted education committee will review all documents.  Depending on the date of transfer, evaluation for the Herricks gifted program will occur as follows:

   • Students who transfer to Herricks UFSD July 1st-October 31st will be reviewed and/or evaluated. 

   • Students who transfer to Herricks UFSD after October 31st will  participate in the district’s annual gifted identification process.

Gemini Appeals Process