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 Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of services. A video showing each level of service in action, as well as information about middle and high school services, are available at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics.

• 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. Descriptions and videos of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking.

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

• 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 available on the Forms page:  https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893

• 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 available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893

• Full-Time Advanced Academic Placement, Grades 3-8 

Level IV services are available for students in Grades 3-8 who are found eligible through a central selection process.  Eligible students use 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: 

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  • 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

Due to the volume of files screened centrally for Level IV services, deadlines are strictly held. 

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  • A referral form may be turned in during the referral window (beginning on the first day of school, ending on the published deadline).
  • Students new to FCPS may be considered for Fall screening and Spring screening
  • The referral form is available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893

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

• Middle and High School Programs  

Additional information about middle and high school services may be found on the Advanced Academic Programs web page:

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  • Middle School:  https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/advanced-academics
  • High School:  https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/advanced-academics

Ability Testing

For current information on ability testing, please visit the Testing and Identification Timeline at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students/testing-and.

Students must have one ability test score to go through the Level IV screening process. 

Our London Towne Advanced Academic resource teacher (AART), Ms. Sirota,  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 London Towne by contacting Ms. Sirota at @email.