Frequently
Asked Questions

Western Gateway is a neighborhood school and a new kind of learning experience. Our students learn through a bilingual curriculum and become part of a welcoming community. They grow into more culturally well-rounded learners, who are equipped to take on all the opportunities of life. Everyone in the community is welcome to share in this experience – students, teachers, siblings, parents, grandparents, and neighbors. Our school is a community space for gathering, volunteering, celebration, learning, and fun.

Western Gateway Elementary is a school that serves portions of the surrounding neighborhoods of College Hill, Higgins Heights, Jones Grove, Wheeler District and Will Rogers Courts. If you live within the school’s neighborhood boundary, all you have to do is enroll!

Western Gateway opened in the fall of 2021 with grades Pre-K, kindergarten, and 1st grade. We are adding a grade level each year until 4th grade.

Students at Western Gateway will be given the option to purchase a uniform shirt from the school or can wear solid gray, black, white, or navy for the top.  Bottoms are the parent choice of jeans, or the following colors: khaki, black, gray, navy, white, or school plaid in any of the listed colors.

Clothing worn to school shall not be torn, cut-up or slit and must be appropriately sized. 

Hemlines must be of modest length (eg., not above the fingertip of the wearer with the arm).

Generally, students should regard neatness and cleanliness in grooming and clothing as important. Dress or grooming which is in any way disruptive to the operation of the school will not be permitted.

Western Gateway Elementary School is located at 1300 SW 15th St. Oklahoma City, OK, 73108. The nearest major intersection is Southwest 15th Street and South Douglas Avenue.

All students living in the attendance area will be able to walk or bike to school. Families attending WGES who live outside of the attendance area will need to provide their own transportation.

WGES is partnering with the YMCA to provide before and after-school care for our students. More information about how to enroll in before and after school care will be provided upon request.

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Western Gateway Elementary School will ensure identification, evaluation, placement, and the provision of education and related services to students with disabilities to be determined by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and the IEP, respectively. Placement will be in the least restrictive environment in which the student can receive a free appropriate public education. Should modifications, supplementary aids and services, and/or accommodations be necessary as determined by the student’s IEP team, such accommodations will be provided in accordance with IDEA and Oklahoma law.

Western Gateway Elementary School’s application was approved by the Oklahoma City Public School Board (OKCPS) of Education on August 12, 2019. The contract was completed on June 8, 2020.

Feel free to contact the school with general questions at info@westerngateway.school or call the front office at 405-276-9170. Head of School, Heather Zacarias, is also eager to talk with interested community members or families, answer questions, collaborate, and more. She can be reached at hzacarias@westerngateway.school.

When naming the school, it seemed only natural to highlight the school’s location near south Western Avenue, an area Oklahoma City officials commonly refer to as “Western Gateway,” as it is an access point to the nearby communities. The school serves as a “gateway” to connect communities through language and culture.