Good news! On Tuesday evening, the SFUSD Board of Education approved a change to the Gateway High School charter that includes a preference for Gateway Middle School students in Gateway High School's lottery. Students at Gateway Middle School who reside in the district, those students within the district whose siblings attend Gateway High School, and district students who qualify for free and reduced price meals, are eligible for admission preference in this year's enrollment season.
Gateway Middle School was opened, in part, to reach students at younger ages in order to increase their chances of success in college and beyond. Research demonstrates that the transition from 8th to 9th grade is especially critical for at-risk students. Plus, performance in 9th grade strongly predicts overall high school performance and likelihood of graduation. For all of these reasons and more, this material change to the high school charter means a great deal to students and families, as well as educators and administrators.
In this, the first year Gateway Middle School students entered the high school as ninth graders, both teachers and students reported a seamless and well-supported transition. These changes bode well for generations to come.
Thank you to all of the students, faculty, parent/guardians, and trustees who came to meetings, wrote letters, and spoke in favor of this change. #ItTakesAVillage