Apply to GATE Magnet School
The Avondale GATE Magnet School is open to students in grades 2-8. The program accepts students who reside in the district and also "out-of-district" students who enroll through our Schools of Choice program.
Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2026-2027 school year. Application dates for the 2027-2028 school year are posted below.
2027-2028 Gifted Programs Application Window (K-1, GATE, & High School):
February, 2027; Official Window TBD
All applications and resources can be found below.
Applications:
NOTE: Applications for the 2027-28 school year are NOT open. Application Window will be approved by the Board of Education and announced in November.
GATE Magnet School Applications (Grades 2-8)
- In-District GATE Application(for students residing within Avondale's district boundaries)
- GATE Schools of Choice Application(for students residing outside of Avondale's district boundaries)
NEW Kindergarten & 1st Grade (K-1) Gifted Companion Program
QUESTIONS?
- For questions or additional information about any of our gifted programs, please contact gifted.education@avondaleschools.org
Important Application Dates
GATE Magnet School Application Timeline
Please note that the application period for the 2026-27 school year has concluded. Information for the 2027-2028 school year can be found below.
- November 19, 2026: Gifted Program Information Night #1
- December 9, 2026: Gifted Program Information Night #2
- January-February: Application Window for All Gifted Programs (during Gifted Schools of Choice Window; TBD)
- March 2027: District CogAT Testing Window
- Mid-April 2027: Placement Notification
- End of April 2027: Letter of Intent DUE
Gifted Programs Information Nights & Tours
Avondale offers multiple annual Information Nights for current and prospective families! Information Nights are hosted at all three buildings on November 19 or December 9, 2026 at 5:30PM. General K–12 program information and tour dates will be shared at each session.
Interested families should attend only ONE Information Night at the school corresponding to your child’s grade level of interest. No children, please.
Building tour dates for 2026 are TBD and will be shared at upcoming Information Night sessions. You MUST attend an Information Night session in order to register for building tours.
NOTE: Information Nights & Tours are for parents/guardians only.
Student Application Requirements
GATE Application Requirements
The usual application process will proceed as detailed below:
- BOTH Avondale in-district residents and School of Choice families will apply during this window and on the same application.
- Within the application, parents will: Give basic contact information, upload this year's first semester report card, sign up for the entrance assessments: NWEA MAP reading and math assessments, and have the opportunity to provide any additional details or documents about their child. Parents may submit their student’s official IQ results (completed less than 18 months from application date for children 7+ years) or any other applicable documentation.
- Round 1: After the initial testing and gathering of portfolio information, students are eligible to move forward with enrollment if they achieve 90th percentile or higher in both NWEA reading and math assessments and/or they meet other requirements within the rubric.
- Round 2: Students will be eligible to take the CoGat Screener assessment. Once the data is collected, a final decision regarding acceptance will be made by the team. There will not be any appeals.
- Students will come in person to complete the entrance assessments.
- If your child has a current school year Fall or Winter NWEA or I-Ready assessment, you can provide it in lieu of taking it again.
- If your child is an Avondale district resident, you do NOT need to provide the NWEA MAP results, we already have access to it.
- All students must complete an application online. Eligibility is determined following a rubric of the above information and is based on multiple points of data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be “gifted”?
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) defines gifted individuals as “those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains.”
What is “school of choice”?
Students who do not reside within the Avondale School District boundaries and do not currently attend an Avondale school are considered “school of choice”.
What is “district resident”?
Students who reside within the Avondale School District boundaries are considered “district residents”. This distinction also applies to students who are already attend an Avondale school through School of Choice.
Do you accept GATE applications mid-year?
Unfortunately, no.
Where and when can I apply?
All applications for the GATE Magnet School are completed online and must be completed during the specific application window announced each year. Please refer to the Application Dates section above to view the current application windows for District Resident and School of Choice students.
