GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Education. NNAT® stands for Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, a visual reasoning assessment that uses shapes and patterns instead of reading passages, vocabulary, or math computation.
What Ontario-Montclair says about GATE
Ontario-Montclair describes its GATE program as support for gifted and talented students. For 2nd grade, the district says all students are tested on the NNAT to evaluate reasoning and problem-solving skills and determine whether they qualify for GATE.
The district also explains that parents of GATE-identified students have two options: remain at their school of residence or submit an application for Edison Academy, a district school of choice for GATE-identified students.
| Test basics | What Ontario-Montclair parents should know |
|---|---|
| Test | NNAT, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test |
| Length | 48 questions in about 30 minutes |
| Question style | Visual reasoning with shapes, colors, positions, rotations, and patterns |
| Reading load | No reading passages, vocabulary, or math computation |
| 2nd grade level | Level C, which includes all four major NNAT® question formats |
What 2nd graders should expect from the NNAT®
The NNAT® asks children to figure out visual rules. A child might complete a pattern, compare how one image changes into another, follow a sequence, or reason through a shape-folding puzzle.
That format can feel unfamiliar even for strong students. Calm practice helps because it teaches children what to look for: what changes, what stays the same, and which answer follows the same rule.
Elementary schools in Ontario-Montclair
In most districts, a gifted-screening window applies across the district, while each school handles practical details inside that window. For Ontario-Montclair families, your child’s campus is the best place to confirm the exact day, make-up instructions, and any reminders sent by the teacher or front office.
Ontario-Montclair elementary schools include:
- Arroyo Elementary
- Berlyn Elementary
- Bon View Elementary
- Buena Vista Arts-Integrated
- Central Language Academy
- Corona Elementary
- Del Norte Elementary
- Edison Academy
- El Camino Elementary
- Elderberry Elementary
- Euclid Language Academy
- Hawthorne Elementary
- Richard Haynes Elementary
- Howard Elementary
- Kingsley Elementary
- Lehigh Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary
- Mariposa Elementary
- Mission Elementary
- Monte Vista Elementary
- Montera Elementary
- Moreno Elementary
- Ramona Elementary
- Sultana Elementary
- Vineyard STEAM Academy
- Vista Grande Elementary
Questions Ontario-Montclair parents should ask
- What exact date is our school administering the 2nd grade NNAT?
- Will families receive any notice before the testing date?
- What happens if my child is absent on the test day?
- When should families expect results?
- If a child qualifies, how do the school-of-residence and Edison Academy options work?
- Is any parent form or follow-up step required after results arrive?
How to prepare without adding pressure
For 2nd graders, preparation should be short, visual, and confidence-building. A few focused sessions can make the test format feel less strange without turning prep into a long homework project.
Start with the four NNAT® question types, then use practice that explains the reasoning rule behind each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Do Ontario-Montclair 2nd graders take the NNAT for GATE?
Yes. Ontario-Montclair School District says all 2nd graders are tested on the NNAT to evaluate reasoning and problem-solving skills and determine whether they qualify for GATE.
What does GATE mean in Ontario-Montclair?
GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Education. Ontario-Montclair describes GATE as support for identified gifted and talented students.
What is Edison Academy in the Ontario-Montclair GATE process?
Ontario-Montclair says parents of GATE-identified students may keep a child at the school of residence or submit an application for Edison Academy, a district school of choice.
How long is the NNAT?
The NNAT has 48 questions and takes about 30 minutes.
Start with a calm first look.
GateBuddy’s free NNAT® practice introduces the question styles and explains how to think through them.
Try five questions free