Advanced Academics Programs

Kerry Urbatch

Gifted Education Teacher, ES

Fairfax County Public Schools offers a continuum of advanced academic services for students K-12 that builds upon students' individual strengths and skills and maximizes the academic potential for all learners. Ongoing observation and assessment ensures that student needs are being met.

Our Woodlawn Advanced Academic resource teacher (AART), Kerry Urbatch, collaborates with the school staff to determine the appropriate level of advanced academic services. Parents may refer their child for advanced academic services or get additional information on the screening process or advanced academic opportunities at Woodlawn ES by contacting Kerry Urbatch, @email.

To learn more about the levels of service and the county-wide Advanced Academic Programs, please read below. You can also learn more by watching the AAP Overview Video (AAP Overview Video in Spanish).

ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) ELEMENTARY CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

Level l

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6

Level I services are provided to all students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Level I services includes teaching students to use critical and creative thinking skills to process content. It also includes periodic opportunities to use advanced academic curriculum throughout the year. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for Levels II-IV. Parents may practice the nine strategies during family conversations and activities. Be sure to view the descriptions and videos of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies.

Because Level I services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.

Level II

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

Level II services are available for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 for students with strength in a specific subject area. The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV to extend and enrich in the subject area strength. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. Multiple criteria are used to screen for this level of service and decisions are made at the local school level.

To have your student screened for Level II services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form.

Level III

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

Level III services are available for students in Grades 3-6 who are eligible for part-time direct services from the AART. Students are identified by a screening committee at the local school. The AART uses materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four core subject areas through either a weekly pull-out class or weekly co-teaching model with the classroom teacher. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. Multiple criteria are used to screen for this level of service and decisions are made at the local school level.

To have your student screened for Level III services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form.

Level IV

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

For Woodlawn students, the Level IV program is offered at the Riverside Elementary School.

Level IV services are available for students in Grades 3-8 who are found eligible through a central selection process. Eligible students use the curriculum from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four academic subject areas on a full-time basis.

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

- Screening for Level IV services occurs during specific screening cycles: Fall screening is held for students who are new to FCPS and have been referred. Spring screening is held for any FCPS-enrolled student who has been referred. A referral form may be turned in from the first day of school until the published deadline. Due to the volume of files screened centrally for Level IV services, deadlines are strictly held. Please check the Advanced Academic Programs website for deadlines each year. The referral form is available on the Forms Page.

Additional information about the holistic screening process and information used for screening (https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students)