GATE Program
Your Pathway to Success!

To be eligible to participate in the GATE Program, the Adult Education student must:

• Not have earned a standard high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma.
• Be a Florida resident.
• Be concurrently enrolled in an adult secondary education program and a career education program at a college, career center, or a charter technical career center.
• Be between the ages of 16 and 21.
• Have a Withdrawal Form* for applicants, ages 16-17.
• Select a Career and Technical Education Pathway or Program.
• NRS Educational Functioning Levels: Score a minimum of a Level 3 in Math or higher, and a minimum of a Level 4 in Reading or higher.
• Withdrawal Document: When a student reaches 16 years of age, he/she is no longer required to attend school if he/she files the required formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment with the school district and the declaration is signed by the parent. The declaration must acknowledge that leaving school will likely reduce the student's earning potential. The school district is required to notify the child's parent or legal guardian that the student has filed a declaration of intent to leave school.

The GATE Program provides opportunities for students to gain career and technical education outside of the traditional high school setting. This expands access by offering alternative pathways for students who may not thrive in traditional academic environments.

Some benefits include providing practical skills training, fostering career readiness, and offering opportunities for students to enter the workforce directly after completing the program. Additionally, it helps to address the needs of students who may not excel in traditional academic settings but thrive in hands-on learning environments.

You can take the computer-based test at any Miami Dade College Campuses.

Students enrolled in the GATE Program are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees. Additionally, instructional materials are available free of charge.

Your diploma will have the words State of Florida and High School Diploma on it. It is just as valid as the diplomas given at any state high school.

Low TABE scores shouldn't stop you from seeking your GED. MDC has specific courses in the Adult Education department which can help you get to the 9.0 level that is necessary for the GED courses.

Yes. Home-study students must comply with the same requirements as students who are no longer attending Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Classes are available during the morning and evening.

Students enrolled in the GATE Program are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees. Additionally, instructional materials are available free of charge.

The GED preparation program allows students to work at their own pace. Each student enters at a different level and dedicates varying amounts of time to studying for the GED. In order to remain enrolled, students must meet the program attendance requirement. Regular attendance in the GED Lab will allow a student to complete the program faster. When a student feels he/she is ready to take the exam, a practice test is highly recommended. The practice test has been shown to be a very good predictor of a student's score on the test. If the score on this practice test shows the student is ready, GED staff will assist the student in registering for the GED Exam.

All GED learning materials are in the classroom. There is no questionbook required. However, if you want to study at home, please discuss this with the instructor.

Classes are also available online.