GATE School building photo

Welcome to GATE Magnet School

Home of the Griffins


Nurturing Gifted Minds & Hearts

2025 U.S. News & World Report #2 Michigan Middle School & #4 Michigan Elementary School
2023, 2024, & 2025 Top Ten Best Public Schools in Michigan
2022-23 Michigan Department of Education Rewards School
(The highest 5% of schools in Michigan ranked by academic achievement.)

Avondale's GATE Magnet School is dedicated to providing an innovative learning environment where gifted students can maximize their academic and social/emotional growth through personalized learning. The program serves students in grades 2 - 8 residing in the Avondale School District as well as students outside of the district through Schools of Choice.

GATE Magnet School

GATE Magnet School

1435 W. Auburn Road Rochester Hills, MI 48309
Phone: 248.537.6400 Fax: 248.537.6405 Attendance: 248.537.6410

School Day:  8:11 AM - 3:11 PM
Half Day Dismissal:  11:25 AM
Early Release:  1:15 PM
(Professional Development)
Office Hours:  7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Anita Steward
Principal
Angela Castaldi
Assistant Principal

We Are Leaders

Stories

GATE Magnet School Hosts Annual Fun Run



GATE Magnet School hosted their annual Fun Run! GATE staff, in partnership with our school PTO, hosted the annual fundraiser on Friday, October 4, 2024. The event raises funds to support school activities, enrichment opportunities, and PTO events throughout the year. 

We were able to meet and surpass our goal this year, and had an amazing day! Way to go Griffins! Thank you staff, volunteers, and sponsors for making this years’ fun run a success.





Events

April 30
IAGD Field Trip Mr. Kacz, 7th grade
10:30 AM
IAGD Field Trip Mr. Kacz, 7th grade
Date: Apr 30
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Calendar: GATE Magnet School
Avondale Education Foundation Meeting
6:00 PM
Avondale Education Foundation Meeting
Date: Apr 30
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Calendar: District Calendar
May 1 - May 2
Principals & Assistant Principals Appreciation Day
12:00 AM
Principals & Assistant Principals Appreciation Day
Date: May 1 - May 2
Time: 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Calendar: District Calendar
May 2 - May 3
Lunchroom Hero Day
12:00 AM
Lunchroom Hero Day
Date: May 2 - May 3
Time: 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Calendar: District Calendar
May 5
Avondale Board of Education Meeting
7:00 PM
Avondale School District Administration Building, 2940 Waukegan St, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA
Avondale Board of Education Meeting
Date: May 5
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Avondale School District Administration Building, 2940 Waukegan St, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA
Calendar: District Calendar
May 6
Avondale College Admissions Panel
5:30 PM
Avondale School District Administration Building, 2940 Waukegan St, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA
Avondale College Admissions Panel
Date: May 6
Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: Avondale School District Administration Building, 2940 Waukegan St, Auburn Hills, MI 48326, USA
Calendar: District Calendar
Avondale is excited to host a panel featuring College Admissions Directors from universities across the state. This event is open to students, parents, staff, and the community, offering an opportunity to better understand how colleges review Avondale transcripts — particularly with our standards-based grading system — and what each institution considers in their admissions process. To ensure a focused and efficient discussion, questions will be collected and provided to panelists in advance.


Please use this form to provide any questions you may have for the panel. Below are the goals for the panel discussion.   
  • Admissions Criteria at Your Institution – An overview of how each college/university determines admissions decisions, including factors like GPA, test scores, AP Coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
  • Understanding Avondale Transcripts – Insights into how Avondale transcripts effectively communicate the academic achievements of our students and ensure universities receive the necessary information for a comprehensive evaluation.
  • Standards-Based Grading and College Admissions – How universities interpret standards-based grading systems, particularly in comparison to traditional grading, and how this impacts the review of student applications. .


Panel Event Information:

Date: May 6, 2025
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM
Location: Avondale Administration Building Boardroom, 2940 Waukegan, Auburn Hills 48326
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82537245875?pwd=6tNlIZcpr9QCizyd7YFawnbBoz5i2L.1
Universities Attending: University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, Lawrence Tech, Oakland University, Olivet, Grand Valley University
Avondale ECC Stakeholder Meeting
6:30 PM
Avondale ECC Stakeholder Meeting
Date: May 6
Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Calendar: District Calendar
May 7 - May 8
Teacher Appreciation Day
12:00 AM
Teacher Appreciation Day
Date: May 7 - May 8
Time: 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Calendar: District Calendar

Guiding Principles & Vision

GATE Magnet SchoolGuiding Principals

We are dedicated to ensuring our educational experiences fit the needs of each student, offering ability-based and mixed age academic groupings, and providing support for the social and emotional needs of our student population.

Vision

Grow our minds...
Grow our hearts...
Grow our future!

Curriculum

Our Approach to Education

At the Avondale GATE Magnet School, we recognize that our students have outstanding levels of aptitude and competence. As such, we have high expectations for our students and we teach our students to have high expectations for themselves, so we can encourage continuous student growth. The acceleration of our curriculum is fast-paced and focuses on deeper exploration of the subject matter in English, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Most importantly, we believe in embracing each student’s unique personalities and characteristics to enrich the classroom culture.

GATE Magnet School Learning Environment

Our learning environment grows and evolves based on each student and their unique characteristics. We create a safe, nurturing, and personalized learning environment by meeting students where they are at academically, socially, and emotionally so that we can best set them up for success for the remainder of their educational journey and beyond. GATE Magnet School students have a voice in their educational journey, because we believe that when a student is invested in their educational path, their chances of success increase! Ultimately, our mission is to work together as parents and educators to improve the lives of our advanced and accelerated children.

Elementary Curriculum Middle School CurriculumSummer Book List

Resources

Below you will find helpful resources, information, reports, and more, specific to GATE Magnet School. If you don't see what you're looking for, use the contact information at the top of this page to request further assistance.