Fairfax High School

Schools for Advanced Studies demonstration sites receive the SAS designation for their exemplary Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) implementation. The Schools for Advanced Studies designation, initially implemented in the 1998-1999 school year, was created to acknowledge exemplary school models of innovative, equitable and effective GATE practices districtwide. By providing high-quality differentiated instruction with an emphasis on depth, complexity, acceleration and novelty, SAS sites offer high-level academic opportunities that meet the unique educational needs of K-12 gifted learners, identified in the Intellectual Ability, High Achievement Ability, Specific Academic Ability, Creative Ability and Leadership Ability categories or verified based on critical thinking/achievement.

The SAS model, which is in alignment with the California Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program Resource Guide and the State Board of Education Recommended Standards for Programs for Gifted and Talented Students, explicitly supports the District's goal to ensure equitable GATE participation for underrepresented students. It is District policy that resident schools must undergo a rigorous application process every five years to obtain or maintain the SAS designation. Independent charter schools and magnet programs are not eligible for the SAS designation.

Transportation services are not provided for SAS.

Please contact the GATE/SAS coordinator at the SAS site directly to inquire about the services offered at the school for gifted/high ability learners. Each SAS site must adhere to State and District GATE/SAS requirements; however, schools have flexibility in the clustering model, thematic emphasis, differentiated instructional strategies and enrichment opportunities provided to students. Detailed school information can be found

Choices On-Time Application for the 2021-2022 School year (Oct. 1 - Nov. 13, 2020):

No formal application is required for qualified students residing within school boundaries since SAS is the school site's GATE instructional program for its students. Students who reside within L.A. Unified boundaries but outside the site's residential boundaries may apply through the Choices process. To apply to an SAS site for the 2021-2022 school year, the parent/guardian may complete the Choices application online at . The Choices brochure contains the paper application for SAS sites and is available October 1, 2020 at every Local District, Community of Schools and Parent Community Services office. The application and verification form, if applicable, are due November 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of private school, independent charter and non-L.A. Unified applicants to verify that the student's current school of attendance has submitted the Verification of Eligibility (SAS Kindergarten) or Verification of Eligibility (Grades 1-12) by Friday, November 13, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. 

Choices Late Application for the 2021-2022 School Year (Opens February 1, 2021):

To apply to an SAS site for the 2021-2022 school year after the on-time deadline, the parent/guardian may complete a late application online at  or using the paper application in the Choices brochure. A late application may be submitted any time from February 1, 2021, through the fourth week of the 2021-2022 school year. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of private school, independent charter and non-L.A. Unified students to ensure that the Verification of Eligibility form is submitted to the SAS site directly, if selected.

The Verification of Eligibility for students applying to a Gifted Magnet or SAS site during the late application period will be processed at the school site. School site personnel will contact the applicant if a space becomes available and verification is needed. Verification criteria and forms are available at http://echoices.lausd.net/Magnet/MagnetGiftedCriteria. (DO NOT send verification forms for late applications to Unified Enrollment.) Affiliated Charter SAS sites do NOT participate in the verification process; contact the Affiliated Charter SAS site directly for more information on its GATE/SAS services and support.

Choices Timeline 2020-2021:

On-time Choices applications may be submitted: October 1, 2020 - November 13, 2020

Email receipts for online applicants will be sent to parents/guardians: October 1, 2020 - November 13, 2020

Confirmation/Correction Letters will be sent to parents/guardians: Mid-December 2020

Program Eligibility Letters will be sent to parents/guardians: February 2021

Selection/Waiting List Letters will be sent to parent/guardians: Mid-March 2021

Deadline for selected students to accept or decline placement: April 2021

Specific dates will be posted, when available, at 

SAS Verification of Eligibility Process:

SAS Applicants Currently Attending an L.A. Unified School

In January of 2021, the District will conduct an online verification of eligibility process for current District applicants to SAS. A Verification of Eligibility form is not required for students currently enrolled in a District site. Principals will receive an online list of SAS applicants who do not meet gifted identification or test score criteria (if applicable). Principals will work with the GATE coordinator and teachers to verify these applicants based on the four critical thinking and problem-solving skills criteria. Parents/guardians are encouraged to speak to school staff regarding eligibility criteria before submitting an application. Late online verification will not be accepted; the recommendation submitted by the administrator is final. 

SAS Applicants NOT Currently Attending an L.A. Unified School

A Verification of Eligibility form is required for students currently enrolled in a private school, independent charter or non-District school, including incoming kindergarten students enrolled in a non-District preschool or Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Two versions of the form are available based on grade level. SAS Kindergarten and Grades 1-12. Forms are available for download at  or printed from the Choices "Print Confirmation" application receipt. The Parent/guardian must submit the Verification of Eligibility form as well as complete the Choices application by November 13, 2020. Please refer to  (click "Who is eligible?) or the Choices brochure for detailed directions about submitting the form, if applicable. Late forms will not be accepted; the recommendation submitted by the administrator is final.