Responding to the cut in gifted education programs in the Adams Twelve school district and new legislation allowing charter schools, Stargate's original charter was submitted to the District 12 School Board early in 1994 by educator Nancy Hall and her husband, Doug Morrow. A series of informational meetings followed, communicating to prospective parents the necessity of a differentiated education for gifted children, and the possible consequences if their students' academic, emotional and social needs were not met. The goals for the school claimed that every child should have access to an education commensurate with his or her abilities, that parents should be significantly involved with their child's education, and that students would be educated in such a way as to help them become responsible, ethical, socially aware adults, who were not only life-long learners, but would contribute to their communities in a positive way.
The first organizational meetings were held at the homes of enthusiastic prospective parents. Beginning with, "What is our purpose?" followed by plans to find a facility, staff and students, those parents logged hundreds of volunteer hours in preparation for the school's opening on August 29, 1994. The old Eastlake campus, a 90-plus-year-old building, was cleaned and renovated. Over 100 candidates for teachers and administrative staff were interviewed by teams of parents, for 17 full- and part-time positions. The 125th student was screened and admitted only one day before the school opened. The school was opened with sweat, determination and many, many donations of time, material and money.
The passion to create a differentiated education lay not only with the parents, but the teaching staff who participated in the effort to outline a diverse educational curriculum that would address individualized needs. This was no easy task, and Stargate lost two teachers before the end of the first term. The staff that remained created an environment where students were excited about going to school, enthusiastic about what they were learning, and were happy with their newfound peers who became friends. Parents, too, found peers and acceptance for their sometimes eccentric ways. A community was formed. The name, 'Stargate,' was voted on in the first months of school. It comes from "Adams Twelve Five Star Schools" - the school district, which serves five communities - and Gifted And Talented Education. The eagle mascot and school colors of purple and gold were selected soon after.
Stargate opened with grades one to five and expanded each year with the students, until grade eight. Mobile classrooms were added at first; then the seventh- and eighth-graders moved to Thornton Middle School. When that facility needed more space in September 2001, Stargate consolidated into the south side of the Pinnacle Shopping Center. Even before moving in, committees made up of volunteers had already been looking for land and contracts, resulting in the building Stargate is in today. Groundbreaking took place in November 2002, and this award-winning facility opened in August 2003.
Bringing together a group of highly intelligent, intensely focused group of perfectionists hasn't been easy. 
Staff turnover has occurred as the school changed in response to the needs of the student community. The heart of Stargate, however, is still to combine the best efforts of parents, students and staff to provide a unique educational opportunity focused on the specialized needs of gifted children.
August 2005
Valicia McPherson
Founder, Stargate Historical Society