Academic » School for Advanced Studies (SAS)

School for Advanced Studies (SAS)

SAS initials

The Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) are programs designed throughout LAUSD to improve the development and education of gifted and talented students. These schools receive funding from LAUSD to provide professional development and resources to teachers, articulated programs for gifted students, and additional resources for parents of gifted students.

The academic curriculum is equivalent to that of the Gifted/High Ability Magnet, with the exception that SAS students can participate in the accelerated math program but not the highly accelerated math program.

Palms is one of nine middle schools in LAUSD Local District West participating in the Schools for Advanced Studies program (see list of SAS schools).

Unlike the Magnet Programs, acceptance to SAS does not include transportation to/from school, even if you are miles from the campus. You can apply for transportation under LAUSD's "Space Available" program in case there is available space for non-Magnet students.

Who Needs to Apply?

Students who live in the Palms Middle School attendance boundaries do not need to fill out an application. Honors/Gifted students will automatically be placed in the SAS/Honors classes. You can optionally apply for the Spanish World Language Immersion Program.

If your child's home middle school is Palms (see Attendance Area), you do not need to submit a Magnet application, since you are automatically eligible to attend Palms.

If you are not sure if you are in the Palms attendance area, check with your child's elementary school. You can also check it yourself by typing your home address into the LAUSD Resident School Identifier to see if Palms is your home school.

Other SAS details, including application information and dates, can be found at the LAUSD GATE website. The SAS application deadline is the same as the "Choices application period deadline" shown on the Magnet Applications page.

Palms has about 350 students in the SAS program, with about 80 openings in a typical school year.

How Does the Waiting List Work?

Download the Waiting List flyer.

Who Qualifies for SAS?

Students are eligible to apply for a transfer from their school of residence to a School for Advanced Studies under three circumstances:

  1. If their school of residence verifies that they have demonstrated the ability or strong potential to work two years above grade level in academic subjects, and that they have demonstrated ability in four critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in their primary language:
    • Explain meanings or relationships among facts, information or concepts that demonstrate depth and complexity.
    • Formulate new ideas or solutions and elaborate on the information.
    • Use alternative methods in approaching new or unfamiliar mathematical problems.
    • Use extensive vocabulary easily and accurately to express creative ideas.
  2. If they score in the "Exceeds Standards" range on the SBAC assessment or have TOTAL national scores of 85% or above on an LAUSD-approved standardized achievement test.
  3. If they have been identified as gifted/talented by an LAUSD school psychologist in the Intellectual, High Achievement, Specific Academic, Creative, or Leadership Ability Categories. For Palms students entering 6th grade, the evaluation is made at their elementary school.

For details, see the SAS Student Permit Application and Criteria page.

SAS Parent Newsletter

The GATE/SAS Parent Newsletter is issued by LAUSD four times per year Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.

You can download the latest issue or back issues from the GATE/SAS Parent Newsletter page.

2024-2025 SAS Events

Gifted/SAS meetings are for parents of GATE, SAS, and Gifted Magnet students, as well as anyone who wants to learn more about the GATE and SAS program.

Scheduled meetings:

  • Fall Gifted/SAS Parent Meeting: Thursday, October 17, 2024 (5:00-6:00pm in Zoom)
  • Spring Gifted/SAS Parent Meeting: Thursday, March 6, 2025 (5:00-6:00pm in Zoom)

Possible meetings:

  • Parent Workshop: typically in October, a workshop for current and prospective GATE and SAS parents offering an overview of the Choices application and the verification process, and showing how Schools for Advanced Studies and Gifted Magnets can meet your child's learning needs
  • GATE/SAS Virtual Parent Conference: typically on a Saturday in March, with guest speakers and an agenda catered to the needs and interests of parents of gifted learners (no registration necessary)
  • Annual Symposium on Gifted Education

See Also