- Westonka Public Schools
- Gifted & Talented Services
Westonka Gifted & Talented Services
Elementary Gifted Education Services (GATES)
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Objectives of the Elementary Gifted and Talented Education Services (GATES) Program are:
- Empowering students to challenge themselves academically
- Developing skills in logic and creative thinking
- Nurturing student self-expression and development of talent
GATES provides opportunities for children in grades K-4 to grow and be challenged through:
- differentiated learning in the classroom
- independent studies (if applicable)
- grade and subject acceleration (if qualified)
- extracurricular activities
- small group instruction
GATES staff members provide curriculum resources for students and teachers, along with support for parents of students in the program.
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Bethy Vesel has been teaching elementary students since 2019 with experience in grades 3 and 5. She holds a bachelor's degree in K-6 elementary education and a master's degree in differentiated instruction with a focus in gifted education and social emotional development, both from Concordia University St. Paul.
Mindy Barrett has worked for Westonka Schools since 2003, serving grades 4, 6, 7 and 9. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education K-6 and 5-8 mathematics license from Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota.
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Grade K-2 Enrichment for students
Students involved in the K-2 Enrichment program focus on creative and critical thinking skills.
Grade 3 and 4 GATES Math and Reading Enrollment
How would my student be identified as eligible to receive gifted and talented services?
- Ability testing when appropriate
- Achievement test scores
- Teacher recommendations
Approximately 7%-10% of Westonka students meet the criteria for receiving gifted and talented services.
Grade 3 and 4 Math Acceleration for GATES students
For students meeting GATES math eligibility requirements in grade 3, the GATES math program will accelerate the regular math program so students will finish the grade 5 math curriculum by the end of grade 4. GATES students who successfully complete the program will then enroll in the advanced math track at Grandview Middle School at the start of grade 5.
In the event that a child does not meet the GATES math eligibility requirements entering into grade 3, the child will have the option to be screened for the grade 5 accelerated math class during the spring of their grade 4 school year.
Grade 3 and 4 Reading Enrichment for GATES students
Students involved in the Grade 3 and 4 Reading Enrichment program focus on interpreting and evaluating literature. Students will read and discuss above grade-level novels, short stories and poetry. There will also be a focus on persuasive writing and vocabulary development, which includes the WordMasters Challenge.
Middle School Gifted Education Services (GATES)
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Just as other aspects of the middle school structure evolve, so does programming for our gifted students. Grandview Middle School students have the opportunity to challenge themselves with several advanced class options as well as co-curriculuar opportunities.
Advanced Language Arts and Accelerated Mathematics courses are available in grades 5-7. These courses are designed to meet the needs of highly motivated students who are developmentally and intellectually ready, have a very high ability and have the study habits necessary to be successful. The curriculum provides more rigor and challenge than the general curriculum. Teachers of these, and all courses have also been trained, and have resources for differentiating the curriculum to help meet the needs of students who would benefit from even more challenge. In addition, students have enriched course opportunities during their specialist time which can be found in Course Offerings. In 5th grade this option is Advanced STEM, in 6th grade Future Problem Solving and in 7th grade Future Cities.
Grandview also provides many other enrichment opportunities available to all Westonka students outside of the regular school day, and in some instances, during the school day.
High School Advanced Learning Opportunities
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As students move into the high school, challenging academic opportunities continue to expand. Mound Westonka High School students have the opportunity to take challenging academic courses which includes advanced/honors course options. In addition, students have the opportunity to take 13 different Advanced Placement courses along with two courses of university-level Spanish in which students can earn college credit. For students interested in engineering, the high school offers a 5-year engineering program using industry-level equipment and technology.
