Newly Eligible Level IV AAP Parent Orientation

On April 26^th, Mrs. Goddin and Mrs. Janofsky hosted an orientation for families of students newly identified for Level IV AAP services. Here is the link to the presentation. Please reach out to Mrs. Janofsky at @email with any questions.

Spring AAP Newsletter ES (PDF)

Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese

FAQ and Advanced Academic Programs in Middle School

Mrs. Bradner, guidance counselor, and Mrs. Janofsky, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher gave this presentation on January 18^th to families of 6^th graders. You can find the slides here and the full Zoom recording here. If you would like to listen in Spanish, click the “globe” icon in the bottom right hand corner and select Spanish. The presentation will begin in English and the Spanish translator will begin speaking a few minutes in.

Multiple Pathways to Advanced Academics Program Services in FCPS

Level I

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6

The first level is provided to all students in kindergarten through grade six and consists of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills. The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for Levels II-IV. Parents may also practice these strategies during family conversations and activities.

Level II

Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6

The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the Program of Studies. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year.

Level III

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

Students identified by our local Advanced Academic committee work directly with the AART each week in a small group setting. During this time, students are challenged with enrichment and extension activities developed to enhance grade-level curriculum.

Level IV 

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

Students found eligible for placement in full-time Level IV Advanced Academic Programs through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas.

McNair houses an AAP center that draws identified gifted students from a number of neighboring elementary schools. Currently there are multiple classrooms at each grade level from grades 3 through 6.

Students in the AAP center study the same Fairfax County Program of Studies curriculum as do students in the base school with instructional techniques that are designed to match the educational learning styles of gifted students.

The mathematics curriculum is accelerated by one grade level, and readings and resources that are used in other subject areas are also presented at advanced levels. 

Referrals for Full-Time AAP Level IV 

Students who are not in the second grade pool will not receive notification. 

Parents or guardians of students not in the second grade screening pool may initiate the full-time AAP Level IV screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form to the local school. The referral form plus forms for additional optional information are available on the FCPS website (link below) and in the Parent Information Packet available at the local school.

Note: Please do not wait for test scores before submitting a referral for your student as there will be no referrals for Level IV screening accepted past the deadline. If you are waiting for test scores and would like your student screened for Level IV, please submit the referral by the published deadline (even if you have not received the test scores for your student).

The FCPS Testing and Identification Timeline link below includes the deadline for submitting the Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form for students in Grade 2 who are not in pool and students in Grades 3–6.

Young Scholars

We also participate in the Young Scholars program, a K-6 initiative that is designed to increase the proportion of historically underrepresented students in gifted programs.