Fairfax County Public Schools offers a continuum of advanced academic services for students that builds upon students' individual strengths and skills and maximizes academic potential for all learners.

Our Bailey's Upper Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Sue Lackey 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 Bailey's Upper by contacting the AART at Bailey's Upper @email or by calling 703-503-2700. Ongoing observation and assessment ensures that student needs are being met.

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons are 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 the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) 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 advanced academics. Parents may also practice these strategies during family conversations and activities. 

Subject Specific Advanced Academic Differentiated Lessons, Grades K-6

Students identified by a local school screening committee are offered differentiated lessons in subject areas of specific academic strength. The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges through lessons and resources within the general education program. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. 

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas. Students receive direct instruction from the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher in the local school.

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-5

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

The full-time advanced academic program is differentiated in depth, breadth, and pace of instruction. It provides an appropriate level of challenge for highly gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving.

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

Parents or guardians of students not in the second-grade screening pool may initiate the full-time AAP screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Program Referral Form to the local school no later than December 15th. 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. If you d would like your student screened for full-time advanced academics, please submit the referral by December 15th (even if you have not received the test scores for your student)

Testing 

FCPS offers two ability tests to all students (universal screener):

• Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) in Grade 1
• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in Grade 2

Note: While private testing that follows guidelines may be submitted, testing is only one type of data considered. All ability tests are considered within the larger context of the overall screening portfolio. FCPS does not encourage families to seek additional testing beyond what FCPS provides to all students.

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.