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Guiding Exceptional Minds with STEAM

     The GEMS program (Guiding Exceptional Minds with STEAM) at Elsinore Middle School is a magnet program that emphasizes advanced instruction with STEAM instructional practices. Students will have broad opportunities to explore subjects in depth at a pace that matches their advanced abilities. Students do not have to be identified as GATE to be considered for the program.

 

Along with the accelerated academics, the program provides a socially appropriate environment for those students who sometimes feel awkward among their peers due to social, emotional, academic, and maturity traits typical of advanced students. GEMS offers an emotional support system.

 

GEMS Recruitment for the

2025-26 school year has finished

 

Decision emails have gone out for all fifth-grade applicants for next year's program.  We are still evaluating a few applications for next year's 7th and 8th grade classes. 

 

Remember, intra-district transfer deadline:

The deadline to submit an intra-district transfer for those families who have a student who was accepted into GEMS, but live outside of the Elsinore Middle School boundary, is this Friday, January 31st, no later than 4pm. Here is the link for the online form. 

 
Late applications - Because late applications would be completed after the application window has closed, they will receive lower priority than those sent on time.  It is still possible to be accepted into the program based on this application, but only IF THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE.  This year, we have had a high number of applications submitted on-time. We will only evaluate late applications AFTER we have finished processing the on-time applications. Late application LINK
 

Please, note:  We will NOT be having candidates take a placement test this year. Instead, we will use common assessment data from their current elementary school. 

 
 
 
 

Prospective GEMS Families: 

Have questions about the GEMS Program?

 

Click here for the information slides

 

 

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Each year, the Admissions Committee considers the following information as part of the selection process:

 

*Previous CAASSP test score and level 

* Teacher recommendation, parent recommendations, and student input on applications

* Grades, citizenship, behavior, and work habits

* General aptitude in core content areas

* Another common assessment which is a test given to all fifth grade students in the district given by the student's current teacher. 

 

 

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Applying Outside of our Normal Recruitment Window

 

If you do not apply before our deadline this year, you have a couple of options.

 

1- You are welcome to apply in November of 2025. Please, monitor this webpage as we do not actively recruit for the 7th and 8th grade classes. 

 

2- You may email [email protected] to inquire about any available spots for you student's grade level.  If space is available, you will be given a link for an online application. 

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Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted

     SENG is a wonderful organization dedicated to educating parents and teachers about the unique needs of gifted students.  GEMS parents get practical information on the following topics related to gifted learners: 

  • Characteristics
  • Motivation
  • Discipline
  • Stress Management
  • Peer Relations and Sibling Rivalry
  • Tradition Breaking 

For more information or to register, go to SENG's website

We love our CAMPS!
The camps are always something that students remember for a lifetime.   

You may direct questions regarding specific camps to the teachers listed below. Approximate cost for each camp & teacher contact:
 
6th Grade - Astro Camp - cost is $450 approx. 
Mrs. Powell - field trip coordinator


7th Grade - Catalina Island Marine Institute - cost is $650 approx.

Mrs. Blakemore - field trip coordinator
Catalina Island Marine Institute Information
(7th grade GEMS camp)


8th Grade - TBD
Ms. Suzanne Wertziema- field trip coordinator

 

GEMS Community Service

The GEMS Program highly encourages its students to participate in a minimum
of five hours of community service per semester. Students should turn them into their science teachers.

Contact the GEMS Coordinator for more information:

[email protected]