OTHER QUESTIONS

Are students who are eligible for the GT center program automatically accepted to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST)?

No, all students wishing to attend TJHSST must follow the application for admissions procedure at: www.tjhsst.edu.

Are there summer enrichment programs for GT students?

Although there are no summer enrichment programs specifically designed for GT students, FCPS summer school offers many programs designed to enrich and extend student learning. The summer school catalog, with descriptions and locations of the classes, is mailed to each home in the spring.

The National Association for Gifted Children, http://www.nagc.org/ publishes a list of summer enrichment programs.

What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program provides a comprehensive liberal arts education emphasizing analytical thinking, and reading and writing skills with an international perspective. It is an advanced level college preparatory program open to highly motivated 11th and 12th grade students who seek academic rigor. A student can earn a full IB diploma or an IB certificate for individual IB courses. All students enrolled in an IB course are required to take the end of course exam. Students must take the end of course exam to receive a .5 weighted grade. IB courses are recognized for college credit by many universities in the United States. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/advepd/advepd.htm.

What is the Advanced Placement (AP) program?

The Advanced Placement (AP) program is offered in English, social studies, science, foreign languages, and fine arts. Students can earn a full AP Diploma or take individual AP courses. Fairfax County Public Schools is one of twenty school districts, nationwide, approved to pilot an Advanced Placement (AP) Diploma. The AP Diploma program will require students to complete a broad academic program that includes five or more examinations with examination grades of 3 or higher in certain year-long courses. Both the full AP Diploma and the individual AP courses are open to any student enrolled in an AP course. The student is required to take the end-of-course AP examination to receive the .5 weighted grade. AP courses are recognized for college credit by many universities in the United States. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/advepd/advepd.htm.

What is the difference between GT center program and the general education program?

The GT center program for students in grades 3 through 8 offers identified students a highly challenging instructional program that follows the FCPS Program of Studies. Differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction, along with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking skills is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking skills. Adaptations are made to the curriculum in order to provide an appropriate level of challenge for gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

The general education elementary school program offers instruction in the core curriculum as defined by FCPS Program of Studies (POS) and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).

What is the difference between GT centers, foreign language immersion schools, and magnet schools?

Foreign Language immersion is a means of acquiring a foreign language through content matter instruction. Students spend half the day studying the regular grade-level curriculum in classes conducted in the foreign language. Classes the other half of the day are conducted in English. The school district determines the subjects to be taught in the foreign language. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/partial.htm.

The magnet schools integrate the arts, science, and technology with instruction to make learning a creative, enriched experience. Students conduct research, produce live dramatic performances, compose original musical scores, design science experiments, and build museum exhibits. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.fcps.edu/about/specpro.htm#MAGNET

Entrance to magnet and foreign language immersion FCPS elementary schools are conducted on a lottery basis.

back to top