Our Mission
At The Gate School, curiosity and confidence unlock students’ potential during the critical middle school years, preparing them to lead their own lives of purpose and possibility.
Our Vision
We envision a school where every student experiences the joy of learning, develops deep confidence, and exceeds expectations—emerging prepared to lead their own lives with purpose, curiosity, and courage.
What Makes Us Unique
Teaching First
At our core we know teachers are the drivers of a students education. This is why we invest so much in attracting, retaining and developing truly excellent educators.
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At The Gate School, every adult in the building—from the principal to instructional leaders—teaches students daily. This innovative model ensures that students consistently experience excellent instruction while fostering a culture of shared ownership, high expectations, and continuous improvement.
Central to this approach are reciprocal observations, where instructional coaches and teachers observe each other in practice. This reciprocal feedback loop strengthens instructional practices, builds trust, and promotes professional growth across the team.
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We want to attract and retain the best teachers. Not only that, we want teachers to know they are valued for the vital work they do daily. This is why our teachers on average earn 20-30% more than their peers across the district, and have a major voice in decision making​
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Curious Independence
At The Gate School, we believe that independence isn’t something students stumble into—it must be intentionally developed. That’s why we’ve designed our entire academic model to lead students toward becoming self-directed learners.
Our blended teaching model combines the best of three instructional approaches:
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Direct Instruction to build strong foundational knowledge
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Inquiry-Based Learning to encourage curiosity and critical thinking
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Project-Based Learning to apply learning in meaningful, real-world ways
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Our middle school curriculum is thoughtfully designed to ensure ALL Gate School students will graduate with at least Algebra 1 credit, putting them well ahead of their peers.
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Students participate in enriching classes like art, theater, and music, with a special emphasis on Public Speech, a course all students take each year to build confidence, communication skills, and presence.
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To deepen connection and create a vibrant school culture, every faculty member leads or coaches at least one extracurricular program, and students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one as well. This commitment allows us to offer a wide range of clubs, teams, and activities—ensuring every student can find something they love and feel part of something bigger.
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Family Partnership
At our core, we believe families are essential partners in every student’s education. That’s why we prioritize building strong, trusting relationships with families and creating meaningful ways for them to be involved.
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At The Gate School, communication with families happens regularly—teachers send weekly updates, and families have multiple opportunities to provide feedback through visits, surveys, and our Family Advisory Council. This ongoing dialogue helps us work together to support each student’s growth.
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We also host events like “Gate Gatherings” to celebrate student achievements, “Family Learning Labs” to equip families with tools to support learning and wellbeing, and “Coffee + Class” sessions where parents can experience the classroom firsthand and connect with staff. Together, we build a community where families and school collaborate to help students thrive.
