Gateway School Santa Cruz

Swipe to see how our second graders are settling into the new school year! They’ve been learning new routines and procedures, practicing patience and persistence, and getting to know one another as they build their classroom community.📚✨

🌊✨ What better way to start the school year than with a little fun and time together?

During our first week back, our middle schoolers got to know each other through a student and staff game of Multimate and a walking field trip to Natural Bridges Beach. These activities gave students a chance to connect, have fun, and build community outside the classroom. And judging by how many students called these activities the highlight of their week, we’d say it was a pretty great start! 🦈🎉

🎶✨ Our first First Friday Assembly of the school year!

We kicked off the assembly with a few words of wisdom from our 8th graders, who shared their tips for making the most of the year ahead. Our new Dean of Student Life, Christina, led us through a mindfulness activity, giving everyone a chance to slow down and reset. And, of course, no First Friday Assembly would be complete without David, our music teacher, leading us in our Gateway tradition of singing "Sing a Little Song" together! 🎤

And that’s a wrap on our first week back! Go Sharks! 🦈🎉

📚✨ And just like that, we’re back!

Yesterday was the first day of the 2026–27 school year, and our campus was full of familiar faces, new beginnings, and plenty of excitement. From settling in with a good book to getting active in PE, catching up with friends at recess, and seeing our staff back in action, it was a great first day back at Gateway. 🦈 📖

Swipe to see a little glimpse of our first day! We’re so happy to have our students and staff back on campus and can’t wait to see what this year brings. 🎉

🍪✨ Nothing says “welcome back” quite like a fresh-baked cookie!

Every year, our sixth graders make cookie dough during Preview & Family Picnic Day. Then, on the first day of school, the dough is baked fresh and our eighth graders hand out the cookies to students and staff as a sweet welcome back.

It’s a tradition that brings different grades together and gives our middle schoolers a chance to welcome the entire Gateway community back to campus. 💛💙

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and making memories together!

🍎✨ Summer may be over, but the excitement is just beginning!

We kicked off our first Staff Work Day today, reconnecting as a team and getting everything ready to welcome our students for another amazing school year. There's lots to do over the next few days, but we're excited to fill our campus with learning, laughter, and smiling faces once again. 💛💙

The countdown to the first day of school is officially on! 🎉

🚌💛 Last Saturday, Gateway participated in Stuff the Bus organized by for the second consecutive year!

At Gateway, we believe that one of the best ways to teach citizenship and scholarship is by living those values. Supporting our community and helping local students start the school year with the supplies they need is one small way we put our mission into action.

Thank you to our Gateway staff and families who volunteered their time! 🙌 🦈

Help Gateway Stuff the Bus with United Way of Santa Cruz County!

Join us on Saturday, August 1 to help Santa Cruz County students get the supplies they need for a successful start to the school year. Wear your Gateway gear and meet by the front entrance! 🦈🎒

SIGN UP using this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAEAB2AA4FDC25-64885549-stuff #/

When: August 1, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena

Details: https://www.unitedwaysc.org/stb

🎉 Join us for Gateway's July Jamboree!

Summer is better when it's spent together! Bring your family and friends for an afternoon filled with games, activities, food, and community fun. 🌞

📅 Friday, July 17
⏰ 12:30–3:30 PM
📍 Gateway School | 255 Swift Street
🎟️ Free admission

Here's what you can look forward to:
💦 Water play
🎨 Arts & crafts
🫧 Giant bubbles
🏃 Team gladiator competition with .moverz
🎯 Nine Square, co****le, hoppity hops, and more!

You will also get the chance to grab a delicious bite from and cool off with a sweet treat from . 🌮🍨

Whether you're a current Gateway family, an alum, or just looking for a fun way to spend a summer afternoon, we'd love to see you there!

Tag a friend, bring the kids, and we'll see you at the Jamboree! ☀️

What an incredible honor! 💙🎉

Thank you to everyone who voted for Gateway School in the Best of Santa Cruz awards by Growing Up in Santa Cruz. We are truly grateful for your support and proud to be part of such an amazing community. 🥇🙌

This recognition reflects the dedication of our outstanding teachers and staff, the curiosity and enthusiasm of our students, and the trust and partnership of our families. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being part of what makes Gateway so special. 🌟

We look forward to continuing to inspire children to lead lives of purpose and compassion through scholarship and citizenship. 🎓