1. Alta Loma High School G.A.T.E. Information Night

2. What am I doing here? …you want to learn about the GATE Program

3. So…What is G.A.T.E.? Gifted And Talented Education

4. What does that mean for a student?   Students can take Honors level courses in grades 9 -11.   Students can apply for AP (Advanced Placement) courses in grades 10 -12.

5. How do I become G.A.T.E.? I. I. Previous GATE Identification II. II. Earning a 5 (Advanced) on either/both 7th grade CST in Language Arts or Math III. III. Taking and passing a test for GATE Placement.

6. What’s the Difference between Honors and AP Courses?   Honors is for Gate qualified students (we look for two things…)   A.P. (Advanced Placement) is a national Program with open enrollment.   College Level Coursework   College Level Textbook   Take an exam to earn college credit Test Scores Grades

7. How is Honors different than College Prep? (Fancy Language) 1) P ace ooAooAcceleration; the concept of altering the pace or speed of learning and providing more sophisticated resources for learning in order to challenge you. 2) D epth ooTooThe concept of challenging you to venture further, deeper, and more elaborately. 3) C omplexity ooTooThe concept of broadening your understanding of areas under study by asking you to make connections, relationships, and associations between, within, and across subjects and disciplines. 4) N ovelty ooTooThe concept of gaining a personal understanding of the area under study or constructing meaning of knowledge in an individualized manner.

8. How is Honors different than College Prep? (Put Simply) 1) Pace   Courses move faster to keep you challenged. 2) Depth   You have to know the “why” not just the “what” in the topics you study. 3) Complexity   You have to read between the lines and make connections that aren’t said by the teacher or in the textbook. 4) Novelty   You will be asked to connect the units to your own life, (even if it isn’t obvious to you). 1) Pace   Courses move faster to keep you challenged. 2) Depth   You have to know the “why” not just the “what” in the topics you study. 3) Complexity   You have to read between the lines and make connections that aren’t said by the teacher or in the textbook. 4) Novelty   You will be asked to connect the units to your own life, (even if it isn’t obvious to you).

9. What Honors courses can I take?   Honors English (9 th, 10 th )   Honors Math (Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus)   Honors Sciences (Integrated, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy)

10. How many classes should I take?   That is up to YOU.   Consider these factors:   What other commitments have I made?   How important are straight A’s?   How easy was Junior High?

11. Freshman Math Grades

12. Freshmen Science Grades

13. Freshman English Grades

14. What are the Pros & Cons?   “Pros: To me, honors is not even really about having to work harder, but to just have the opportunity to dive deeper into your educational experience and learn more about your subject than you would without the Honors Program. And it’s great! Cons: There’s a lot more pressure to be smart and do well, and the expectations of other people are higher than for a regular student.”   “Pros: It challenges yourself and will build better habits. Knowing it is Honors, a student will try harder. Cons: Urge to give up when discouraged.”   “Pros: You really get to challenge yourself and see how much you can do. In Honors, you go more in-depth and you really get to understand what you want to know.”   “Cons: My advice is balance yourself. Only take a few Honors classes so you still have free time to do your sports.”

15. How much time do you spend on homework?   Average student answer was 2-4 hours a night.   “It depends. It could take anywhere from 1- 7 hours. Math usually is like ½ an hour. English…takes a bit longer. There is the occasional all-nighter…but I am a perfectionist.”   “Not Enough!”

16. What is the key to success?   Most common student responses were “Do Not Procrastinate!”, “Study”, “Do your homework!”   “The secret to success is effort.”   “The secret is being dedicated to it; to want to be in the class.”   “No matter how naturally it came to you in Jr. High, this is different & you have to study! You must be motivated. You have to want to succeed!”   “Don’t give up.”   “One secret to success is to participate in class and interact with your teacher. Ask questions and stay involved so that you know what is going on.”   “ #1: Know what the teacher wants. #2: Know how the teacher wants it. #3: Do beyond what the teacher expects.”   “Treat every assignment as if your grade depends on it.”

17. Why would I want to take an honors class?   Honors courses earn an extra GPA pt.   Prepares for AP and AP prepares for College.   College is expensive!

18. School # of Freshman Applicants # Accepted Percentage % in top of Class Total Cost* Total Cost* Room & Board/books Included Cal Poly – Pomona 24,53012,952 53% ↓ 75% top 50% $14,949 Cal-State, San Bernardino 12,8343,605 28% ↓ 21% top 10% $15,225 Cal-State, Long Beach 48,54220,391 42% ↓ 85% top 25% $16,094 Cal Poly – S.L.O. 33,35211,173 34% ↓ 47% in top 10% $17,310 UC, Riverside 21,45316,817 78% ↓ 94% in top 10% $21,157 UC, San Diego 47,36519,717 42% ↓ 100%+ top 10% $21,415 UC, Santa Barbara UC, Santa Barbara40,93322,273 54% ↑ 96%+ top 10% $23,078 UC, Los Angeles 55,43712,660 23% ↓ 97%+ top 10% $24,064 UC, Berkeley 48,46110,474 22% ↓ 98%+ top 10% $24,939 USC35,9007,875 22% ↓ 87%+ top 10% $52,232 University of La Verne 1,657982 59% ↓ 23.5% in top 10% $40,998 University of Redlands 3,4432,327 68% ↑ 31% in top 10% $46,004 Stanford25,2992,400 9.5% ↓ 92% in top 10% $50,298 APU4,4412,780 63% ↓ 31% in top 10% $36,892 Pomona College 6,293981 16% ↓ 75% in top 10% $50,568 Claremont McKenna 3,670800 22% same 85% in top 10% $52,035

19. Thank You! If you need to contact me: E-mail = BEST stephenie_miller@cjuhsd.k12.ca.us Phone: 989-5511