GATE
GATE @ KRAEMER
- Kraemer is a 7th and 8th grade middle school with a diverse student population
- 383 GATE students make up about 40% of the school’s total population
- Kraemer GATE students come from every PYLUSD elementary school, many local private schools, and various other schools around Orange County
- GATE teachers are specifically trained to work with cognitively gifted students so that curriculum and classroom lessons emphasize depth, analysis, and creative problem-solving
- GATE students are amongst peers; Kraemer is a place where gifted students meet new friends and find others who have similar interests
- The “Bridge” program with Valencia High School allows middle school students access to high school-level courses.
The GATE Schedule
- GATE Language Arts
- GATE Mathematics*
- GATE Social Studies
- GATE Science
- Physical Education
- Elective
- Elective
- *Various levels of math offered
GATE LANGUAGE ARTS
The goal in language arts is to prepare our students to be strong writers, active readers, challenging speakers, and acute listeners in preparation for a rigorous high school of their choice. Students experience a variety of learning activities including:
- collaborative group discussions
- technology integration in the classroom
- dramatic presentations
- Socratic seminars
- cross-curricular units with social studies and science
- writing workshops and seminars within the classroom
- challenging vocabulary development
GATE MATHEMATICS
Kraemer GATE math classes seek to have students explore mathematics through critical and creative thinking. We want our students to develop a deeper understanding through multiple representations of concepts. We strive to push the students to achieve their maximum potential and not settle for understanding algorithms and formulas. Courses Include:
- Math 7-8 Accelerated
- Algebra
- Geometry*
- Algebra II/Trigonometry*
- *Taught as a part of Bridge program at VHS
GATE SCIENCE
The goal of our science classes is for students to master the content at the highest level and bridge their understanding to prepare for high school Honors, AP, and IB science classes. This is accomplished by:
- hands-on experimentation and engineering
- students learning to design experiments, in addition to performing them
- cross-content projects, which help student learn to apply their learning to real-life situations
GATE SOCIAL SCIENCE
Students in GATE history classes will become historical and global thinkers, critical readers, and writers with a background in evidence and research. Students will be able to communicate connections between historical content and modern day application. This occurs through:
- historical simulations
- analyzing primary and secondary sources and incorporating reliable historical evidence into writing
- cross-curricular thematic units with collaboration with other content areas
- providing field trips which extend students’ historical understanding
BRIDGE PROGRAM WITH VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL
Kraemer takes advantage of being directly adjacent to one of the top high schools in Southern California, Valencia High School, by offering numerous classes on its campus. Each “bridge” class is taught by Valencia staff members, but contains only Kraemer students. Some Kraemer students take as many as three classes on the Valencia campus, regularly traveling between campuses. Many Kraemer students continue on to Valencia’s International Baccalaureate and Val-Tech programs, and the bridge program acclimates Kraemer students to the campus and high school staff.
ELECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES
| Art | Graphic Design | Robotics |
| Advanced Art | Music Appreciation | Performing Band |
| Biology | Photography | Beginning Band |
| Peer Leadership | Spanish 1A/1B | Advanced Orchestra |
| ASB Leadership | Chinese 1 | Intermediate Orchestra |
| Outdoor Ed | Japanese 1 | Vocal Ensemble |
| Intro to Dance | French 1 | Mixed Choir |
| Yearbook | AVID | Video Productions |
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
| Colorguard | Dance Team | Marching Band |
| Orchestra | Science Olympiad | Hip Hop Dance |
| Distance Runners | Intramural Sports | |
| National Junior Honors Society | Jazz Band | |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: How many classes does my child take in the GATE program?
Answer: All Kraemer students have seven classes. GATE students have GATE-only language arts, math, science, and social studies classes. Additionally, all students are enrolled in PE. Students also get to choose two elective classes. Some electives are "wheel" classes that change at the semester, while others are year-long classes.
Question: How many students are enrolled in the GATE program?
Answer: During the 2022-2023 school year, there were approximately 383 GATE students at Kraemer Middle School, which accounts for nearly one-half of our school population of 950 students. Additionally, there are over 189 students enrolled in honors classes at Kraemer Middle School. With 60% of Kraemer students enrolled in a GATE or honors program, Kraemer has a strong academic focus.
Question: How early can I drop my child off at school?
Answer: We have supervision on campus beginning at 7:30 am. We recognize that many families have students attending Valencia High School, which has an earlier start time. Additionally, we have parents who need to drop students off early in order to be at work on time. The quad is open for students at 7:30, and the library opens for study hall and computer use at 8:15am. Lastly, there are some clubs that meet in the morning before school, too.
Question: What is the benefit of a GATE-only class?
Answer: Gifted students have an ability to think creatively and critically beyond that of a typical seventh or eighth grader. GATE-only classes provide an environment where that ability can be stimulated. The discourse of discussions and application of concepts is able to take place at a much high level when the classroom is filled with like-minded students.
Question: Kraemer is a lot smaller than it used to be, isn't it?
Answer: That is correct. With a student population of about 950 students, Kraemer is just over half the size it was a decade ago when 1,800 kids attended this school. PYLUSD opened Valadez Middle School Academy in 2008, which significantly reduced the number of students on our campus. Our current student population allows for a wide variety of programs and activities, but also provides our staff with the ability to really get to know each individual student.
Question: What is the bridge program?
Answer: Kraemer's proximity to Valencia High School allows us to offer a myriad of classes on the high school campus with high school teachers. We currently have Kraemer students enrolled in Chinese 1, Japanese 1, French 1, Biology Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Geometry Honors, Robotics, and Vocal Ensemble at Valencia High School.
Question: How do the middle school students feel about being on the high school campus?
Answer: It is a source of pride for Kraemer bridge students. The high school teachers welcome them into their classrooms, and they look forward to working with high-achieving middle school kids. The bridge classes are scheduled for Kraemer students, so your middle school student will not be seated alongside a high school senior.
Question: What is the difference between Geometry taught at the high school and Geometry taught at the middle school?
Answer: Middle school class periods are 45 minutes. High school class periods are 55 minutes. By having our students take Geometry or Geometry honors in the bridge program, they are gaining 50 minutes of additional instruction each week. Over the course of an entire school year, this time difference equates to about an additional month of classroom instruction.
Question: I have heard that my student can take a zero period class and then get out after sixth period; is that true?
Answer: Several (but not all) of our classes are taught during Kraemer's "zero period," which begins at 7:40am. Students enrolled in zero period will be released from school at 2:45pm instead of the standard dismissal of 3:30pm. Not all students requesting 0-6 period schedule will be accommodated.