CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Program of Studies (POS). Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of services:

 

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)

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 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.

 

Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)

The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the POS. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. The Young Scholars Model begins at this level and is designed to find and nurture advanced academic potential in students from historically underrepresented populations.

 

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)

Students identified by a local school screening committee for Level III part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year.

 

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)

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. Screening for this level of service occurs in the spring. Additional information is available on the county website.

 

SCREENING

Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. The local school committee determines student eligibility for part-time school-based services. The countywide central selection committee determines eligibility for full-time AAP Level IV placement.

 

REFERRALS FOR BOTH FULL-TIME AND SCHOOL BASED SERVICES

Westbriar is proud to offer Advanced Academic services in the following five categories:

Access to Rigor/Level I AAP services (Grades K-6): Exposure to AAP lessons or materials at least once a quarter provided through the classroom teacher, or AART (Advanced Academic Resource Teacher), or both, at least once a quarter. (All students get this service.)

 Subject Specific Differentiation/Level II AAP services (Grades 1-6):  Enrichment in language arts or math for a proven area of need/strength; Enrichment is given through the classroom teacher. *This is a School-based service. Please see the Digital Wednesday Folder for current screening application deadlines.

 Advanced Math Course for Grades 3-6: Students who test and meet the criteria set by the FCPS math department may opt to take this course, starting in third grade. This course accelerates students up to one full year above their sitting grade level. Students in grade 5 will take the Math 6 SOL for VDOE testing, and students in grade 6 will take the Math 7 SOL for VDOE testing.

 Part time/ Level III AAP Services: Grades 3-6 enrichment provided in all four core subject areas of language arts, math, science and social studies using AAP curricula working directly with the AART on a part-time basis. *This is a School-based service. Please see the Digital Wednesday Folder for current screening application deadlines.

Full time/Level IV AAP Services: Grades 3-6 enrichment provided in all four core subject areas of language arts, math, science and social studies using AAP curricula full-time, in a self-contained setting. This is a district screening. Please see the Digital Wednesday Folder for current screening application deadlines.

Please note that all application materials must be turned in to the office in hard copies for processing. It's recommended to put all items together in an envelope, or clipped together. Each item should have the student’s enrolling first and last name, as well as student ID number clearly indicated.

For additional information on our programs, please contact Lori Luster, AART at @email to get more information and the appropriate screening application forms. All AAP forms (screening applications, and other items) can be found here as well: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs-aap/advanced-academic-program-aap-forms