Palo Christi Elementary School
Palo Christi Elementary School, a Performing Plus school, maintains an active program for our Gifted and Talented Students. Referred to simply as “GATE,” our program is comprised of students who have met the criteria of scoring 97% or higher in one or more areas—verbal, non-verbal, or quantitative—on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Additionally, we have extended an invitation to a few deserving students whom although they did not meet the 97% threshold, nonetheless scored high enough to encourage their participation as well.
A primary goal for us for the 2008-09 school year is to place each student qualifying for GATE on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for giftedness. This will help ensure that these students’ needs are met adequately within the classroom setting. In addition, our GATE program meets bi-weekly, on Tuesdays after school. During this instructional time, the students participate in a variety of activities designed to complement not only the students’ individual areas of strength, but also the students’ personal interests. The students participate in games and activities that teach logic, critical thinking, and strategy skills in different subject areas. For example, science related activities recently have included the study of simple electrical circuits. The students constructed among other things, a doorbell, a small generator, and a telegraph.
Palo Christi Elementary School is celebrating its 80th birthday this year. It is our firm desire to continue in our strong tradition of academic excellence by fostering both critical and creative thinking amongst these talented students. These are skills that will only enhance a student’s innate abilities enabling them to achieve even greater success in the future.