GATE

Coordinator    

Catherine Puranananda:  505-663-2592  •   c.puranananda@laschools.net

The GATE program at Los Alamos High School is based on the autonomous learner model. GATE students pursue a project focusing on an area of personal interest. The project should address topics that are outside or beyond the high school curriculum.  Each participating student will also attend an IEP (individualized educational plan) meeting and develop an IEP in conjunction with his or her GATE case manager.

LAHS GATE uses a pullout model. GATE students will have formal meeting with their peers once every six weeks. Students will also meet with their GATE case managers independently, as needed or desired. Students will have the choice of meeting times, depending on students’ schedules and case manager schedules. During the group meetings, students will discuss and troubleshoot their projects with other GATE students, and they will make goals that they will try to meet before the next group meeting. The individual meeting topics are tailored to the student’s individual needs. The last group meeting of the school year will be used for project presentations.

Students will not receive school credit or a grade on their transcripts for participating in GATE. However, many students who have remained in the GATE program have stated that they enjoy the camaraderie of the group meetings and the connections that they make with the case managers. Additionally, students enjoy the external motivation to do something on their own that they enjoy.