Full Menu

Services by School Level

Advanced academic services are implemented through school-based and countywide activities which comply with School Board and State objectives. The Office of Advanced Academics and Talent Development seeks to address the unique abilities, interests, and needs of advanced learners through differentiated curricula and instruction, accelerated experiences, and other extension opportunities.  For details, please visit your unique school’s Advanced Academics webpage.

Elementary K-5

Students may be identified as gifted in grades K-12 in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. School-based academic services are delivered:

  • in the general education classroom setting within a cluster group (at least 10 identified gifted learners)
  • with teachers who have earned the minimum requirement of 40 gifted points (PIP: G-2.14 PIP-9) and who continue to seek additional opportunities to learn strategies and curricular resources written for gifted learners to strengthen their instruction
  • according to a collaborative resource model the cluster teacher works with the AAC to plan, model, develop and/or present appropriately differentiated learning experiences for gifted students on a daily basis
  • cluster teachers and AACs are guided in their planning by the APS Critical and Creative Thinking Framework and curricular resources written for gifted learners

The benefits of a collaborative model are one of the ways schools strengthen services to provide gifted services to a much broader range of advanced learners. By working with teachers to add rigor and complexity to lessons, gifted learners get the daily challenge they need while offering more students the opportunity to think and problem solve at higher levels.

In addition to classroom support, countywide enrichment opportunities include:

  • Elementary Honors Chorus, 4-5, sponsored by Arts Education Office
  • Junior Honors Band, 4-6, sponsored by Arts Education Office
  • Junior Honors Orchestra, 4-6, sponsored by Arts Education Office

Middle School 6-8

Students may be identified as gifted in grades K-12 in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. School-based academic services are delivered:

  • in open enrollment intensified courses in English Language Arts and Reading, Science, and Social Studies in grades 7 and 8 beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. (Grade 6 open enrollment intensified courses will begin the following school year, 2024-2025.) *Students who select this level of challenge and who are identified as gifted will be clustered within the same classroom with at least 10 students also identified in the same area.)
  • advanced courses in mathematics, world language and/or geography  *Students who are placed in advanced courses in mathematics and who are identified as gifted will be clustered within the same class with at least 10 students also identified in mathematics.)
  • with teachers who have earned the minimum requirement of 40 gifted points (PIP: G-2.14 PIP-9) and who continue to seek additional opportunities to learn strategies and curricular resources written for gifted learners to strengthen their instruction; a collaborative cluster model in which the classroom teacher works with the AAC to plan, model, develop and/or present appropriately differentiated learning experiences for gifted students on a daily basis.

The benefits of a collaborative model are one of the ways schools strengthen services to provide gifted services to a much broader range of advanced learners. By working with teachers to add rigor and complexity to lessons, gifted learners get the daily challenge they need while offering more students the opportunity to think and problem solve at higher levels.

In addition to classroom support, countywide enrichment opportunities include:

  • Middle School Academic Hallmarks, 6-8, sponsored by Arts Education Office
  • Junior Honors Band, 4-6 and Honors Band, 7-8, sponsored by Arts Education Office
  • Junior Honors Orchestra, 4-6 and Honors Band, 7-8, sponsored by Arts Education Office

High School 9-12

Gifted Services at the high school level uses the collaborative model to support hundreds of teachers and students. Each high school has a full time AAC. The primary role of the AAC at the secondary level is to work collaboratively with students and teachers to add depth and complexity for daily differentiation for gifted learners and/or any student who is ready for the next level of challenge. A secondary role is to raise awareness of scholarships and programs of interest to students beyond the school day and during the summer.

Students are encouraged to enroll in courses that match their identified area of strength. Courses labeled intensified, advanced, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Dual Enrollment (DE) are available in all core and arts areas. Course selections are included in the High School Program of Studies.

The teachers of these courses are required to meet the Teacher Qualifications – Education of Gifted Students G-2.14 PIP-9 training so that they can appropriately differentiate curriculum and instruction to meet the learning needs of gifted students. Teachers are trained in elements of gifted education including the Critical and Creative Thinking Framework and curricular resources written for gifted learners. Additionally, teachers of AP or IB courses attend the AP or IB institute and receive specialized training in the curriculum and instruction of the particular courses they instruct.

HS Enrichment Brochure (English version) 

HS Enrichment Brochure (Spanish version) 

In addition to classroom support, countywide enrichment opportunities include:

  • Advanced Placement Classes, 9-12, available at all APS high schools
  • High School Independent Study, 10-12
  • International Baccalaureate Classes, 10-12, available at Washington-Liberty High School
  • The Virginia Department of Education, in conjunction with localities, sponsors regional Academic-Year Governor’s Schools that serve gifted high school students during the academic year. Arlington Public School grade eight students may contact their middle school counselor about how to apply to the Northern Virginia Governor’s High School for the Gifted – Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
    Eligibility and admissions information
  • Summer Residential Governor’s Schools, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, provide gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; medicine and life science; or through mentorships in marine science or engineering. Arlington Public School students in grades 10 and 11 who are eligible for gifted services in the arts and academic areas may contact their AACs in October about how to apply for the Summer Residential Governor’s Schools for the Gifted and General Information for Students and Parents.
  • The Virginia Department of Education sponsors the Governor’s World Language Academies, summer residential programs for Virginia’s most motivated and talented world language students. Arlington Public School students who have a strength and passion for languages may contact their high school’s World Language Department Chair or World Language Teacher in October/early November about how to apply for the Governor’s Summer Residential World Language Academies.
  • The Arlington Public School Arts Education Office offers the Fine Arts Apprentice Program to students in grades 10-12. The apprentice program provides instructional, performance, exhibit, and service opportunities in art, music, dance, and theater for students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in and commitment to an arts area. Applications are available on-line or from high school resource teachers for the gifted in February for the next school year.
  • The Career Center offers APS high school students identified for gifted services upper level courses of interest
  • Professional Related Intern/Mentorship Experience (PRIME) PRIME is an internship program for rising junior and senior students who have been identified for gifted services and/or have completed at least one year in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) class with the expectation to continue to the next level.  Interns will earn one unweighted high school credit, as well as one college credit for NOVA’s SDV100: College Success Skills course, for 140 hours of work. Students and mentors negotiate the details of the internship hours. The PRIME Summer Program provides internships during July for a limited number of Arlington Public School students. Students must be 16 years of age and provide their own transportation to and from the business and the Arlington Career Center. Students must be available the entire month of July to participate in the program. Interested applicants should contact their gifted resource teacher, guidance counselor or PRIME coordinator, and/or Louis Villafane, Director, Arlington Career Center, (703) 228-5731) and/or louis.villafane@apsva.us.