Applying for GATE – some important information and deadlines:

Note: please refer to the website link below for up-to-date information.

GATE is accessed via the CBE through a referral and placement, process only. Please do not contact Queen Elizabeth High School directly regarding questions of placement. In consultation with CBE school personnel, parents need to consider the unique needs of their child to determine whether GATE is the most appropriate placement. Gifted students considered for GATE placement require significantly different educational experiences and levels of challenges to thrive and achieve their individual potential.

Referrals for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) are considered for students registered in the Calgary Board of Education. Please contact your child's current CBE school.

Any parent or guardian of a current or anticipated GATE student is encouraged to refer to the CBE website for up to date information about Gifted and Talented Education in the CBE.

GATE at QEHS

Students who are placed into the GATE program at Queen Elizabeth are provided:

• A challenging curriculum that explores substantial global questions, integrates several academic areas, and extends beyond the Alberta Program of Studies
• Opportunities to apply higher level thinking skills and diverse problem solving strategies to real world issues
• Learning at the level and pace that is consistent with the student’s capabilities
• Opportunities to explore areas of particular interest through independent research
• Access to experts and mentors, when possible
• Enhanced resources

GATE, a CBE system program for gifted and talented students in a congregated group setting, is located at QEHS for North Calgary. QE's GATE program is available to qualified students in Grades 7 through 12 and is designed to meet the unique learning requirements of the intellectually gifted. The program can be personalized, utilizing the student’s Individualized Program Plan (IPP), and any students who are gifted and have also been identified with with other learning needs, can be successfully accommodated. The program evolves and changes to meet the needs of the students in the program at the time.

QEHS offers a good variety of complementary courses including French, Band, Art, Home Economics, Drama, Computer Technologies, and Industrial Arts. QE has many specialized facilities including a technology and resource-rich Learning Commons, large wood-working shop, home economics lab, art lab, band room, dance floor, theatre, CTS computer labs, and two gymnasiums. An experienced Teacher Librarian is on site. Subject specialists teach in all complementary courses for Junior and Senior High. 

High School GATE Program, Grades 10 to 12

The GATE program is an ideal venue to offer meaningful and challenging educational experiences which embrace Alberta Education's Inspiring Education vision for emerging citizens who will display competencies and attributes which will be particularly important to success in the future. These competencies include:

Engaged Thinker – students with an inquisitive, engaged mind, and students who are prepared to ask “why?” and think critically about the answers they receive. These people become life-long learners. GATE students particularly, have numerous opportunities to discuss and debate, and to be challenged in new ways. Staff engage students through frequent inquiry-based learning projects, and intentionally designing lessons incorporating multiple intelligences, at all grade levels.

Ethical Citizen - Citizens of tomorrow must be ethical, empathetic, compassionate and respectful to truly grow and thrive. Opportunities abound to become involved, such as in school leadership, outdoor pursuits, and the Youth Volunteer Corp (YVC) where students learn about world issues, non-government organizations (NGOs) and reach out to make a difference in the world. 

Entrepreneurial Spirit – To shape innovative ideas into real-world solutions, graduating students need to be motivated, resourceful and resilient citizens. Through experiences on and off campus, QEHS encourages students to be bold, embrace leadership, and actively seek new opportunities. 

Learning at QEHS: • encourages students to develop a global or “big picture” perspective. • can be personalized and paced to meet the needs of gifted learners. • allows students to develop as autonomous learners. • are organized to allow gifted students the opportunities to interact with their peers. • embraces inquiry and innovation.

Teachers are qualified and experienced to offer specific courses geared to the GATE students provided a minimum enrollment number of students is met. The following courses or alternatives have been offered in the past, and may be offered dependent upon student interest in any given year: 

1. Humanities I, II and III (10, 20 and 30); alternatively English Language Arts and Social Studies Advanced Placement (AP).  
2. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology 20, 30, and AP 
3. Pure Math 10, 20, 30, 31 and AP 
4. Physical Education 

QEHS Contact

Gary Perfect
Learning Leader GATE/Advanced Placement 
gwperfect@cbe.ab.ca