SummerGATE is a rigorous and inspiring academic enrichment program for the summer months, serving eager young learners in Grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Founded in 1980 by Rebecca Cherny, it was conceptualized in response to gifted learning being taken from many school programs throughout the Bay Area. It has since become a beloved home for enthusiastic students who wish to spend their summers in a hands-on and challenging environment with like-minded friends who love to learn. We pride ourselves on our topnotch, experienced, and credentialed instructors, combined with creative and unique signature class topics. In 2026, we are thrilled to continue afternoon volleyball clinics, contemporary dance, pottery, hip hop dance, K-Pop Culture Class, CSI/Criminal Investigations, photography, movie-making, as well as an impressive array of math, literature, science, humanities, art and music classes for every age.

SummerGATE 2026 Faculty

Mark Abbott SFYC, SummerGATE, Burke School

Margie Arce                                B.A., Cal State University, St. Gabriel School

Shainna Breslow                       B.A., USF, International School of Science Arts and Culture

Sandra Camp                             B.A., SF State University, SFUSD Librarian

Gennaro Cannelora                 Convent of the Sacred Heart

Tricia Cronin                             ACT, National Geographic, Burke School, SF Youth Chorus

Aaron Cundy                            Downer Elementary School, West Contra Costa Schools

Derek Dimond                         B.A., SF State University, M.F.A., UC Davis, Lecturer 

Anna Dudley                            B.A., SF State University, SFYC, SummerGATE

Victor Flaviani                        Head of Technology, Holy Name School

Mackenzie Flinn                    B.A., Marquette University

Katie Gerber                           B.M./B.M.E.Indiana University, M.M., SFCM, SFYC, SummerGATE

Janet Giannini                        B.A., UC Berkeley, Jefferson Elementary School District

Gemma Glean                         B.A., SFS, B.A., UCSD, OLPH

Samantha Glean                    B.A., Chapman University, Westlake Performing Arts

Alex Hertz                                B.A., SUNY, Binghamton, Sunset Elementary

Emma Hirst                              ANI Art Academy

Elizabeth Ibalio                       B.A., University of San Francisco, MAT., USF., St. Anne’s School

Sophia Ibalio                            B.A., UCLA

Elizabeth Jorgenson              M.A., Teachers College of Columbia

Maya Lum                                  B.M.,  Berklee College of Music

Raymond McMillan                 B.S., USF, Urban High School, Drew High School

Jocasta Mettling                     B.A., UC Berkeley, M.A., SF State University, SFUSD

Jason Parmele                          M.A., University of Galway, B.A., SF State University, Sunset Elementary

Ivania Portocarrero                 B.A., San Francisco State University

Cynthia Richardson                 B.A., M.A., SF State University, St. Finn Barr Catholic School

Lissa Robinson                          B.S., U. Mass., M.A., SF State University, Susan B. Anthony Elementary

Teagan Robinson                      BBA., Loyola University Chicago

Jeremy Ruskin                           B.A., UC Santa Barbara

Grace Sabido                              B.S., Quirino State University, M.A., CIC, Mission Hills Middle School

Naomi Sanchez                           B.M., M.M., Indiana University, American Conservatory Theater

Jay Taylor                                     B.A., SF State University, Alice Fong Yu Middle School

Lilliana Wilf                                  B.A., UC Davis, Jose Ortega Elementary School

Daniel Yanow                               B.A., Humboldt State University, Westborough M.S., South SF

Megan Yau B.A., Creighton University