MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS

Middle School Honors Program Overview

The Honors program, aligned with national standards for gifted and talented education, is for students who have demonstrated high achievement in a specific area of academic strength. The program uses a county-developed middle school curriculum that extends the Fairfax County Program of Studies (POS) in depth and complexity. The curriculum is based on the Parallel Model, a nationally endorsed model of curriculum for high-ability learners. Download our brochure (pdf).

The following diagram highlights the major similarities and differences between the Gifted and Talented Center and the Honors Program in the middle school (see pdf).

How Students Are Selected for Middle School Honors. See timeline

Learn more about Middle School Honors: Play this video (9:53)

English, Science, and Social Studies

Students are placed in Honors English, Science, and Social Studies by successfully completing a comprehensive screening to include:

• Ability test data, such as
  
  • Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test [NNAT].
    
  • Cognitive Abilities Test [CogAT].
    
  • Otis Lennon School Ability [OLSAT].
    
• Achievement testing, such as
  
  • Stanford 9.
    
  • Developmental Reading Assessment [DRA].
    
  • State Standards of Learning Scores [SOLs].
    
• Grades in the core subject areas.
  
• Gifted Behavior Rating Scale [GBRS].
  
• Recommendation.
  

Rising 7th grade gifted and talented (GT) center students who choose to leave the GT center qualify for Honors English, Social Studies, and Science courses.

Students who decide to attend their local middle school should notify the Director of Student Services at the middle school and the GT Programs office at (703) 846-8778

Students enrolled in the 7th grade Honors program carry over their placement into 8th grade unless there is a question regarding the placement. In such cases, the principal at the middle school reviews the information and makes a decision.

Mathematics

Students are placed in Math 7 Honors by completing one of the following three items:

• Mathematics 6 Compacted.
  
• A yearlong accelerated program.
  
• Successfully completing a comprehensive screening to include:
  
  • Teacher recommendation.
    
  • Standardized screening test for mathematics.
    
  • Additional testing information
    
  • Gifted Behaviors Rating Scale With Commentary (GBRS).
    
  • Grades in mathematics.
    

Rising 7th grade students will be placed in Algebra Honors based on all the following:

• Successfully completing Mathematics 6 Compacted or a yearlong accelerated program.
  
• A score at or above the 92th percentile on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test.
  
• A score at or above 500 on the Virginia Standards of Learning grade 8 mathematics test.

Honors Placement Timeline

 

JANUARY	FEBRUARY-MARCH	APRIL-MAY	JUNE-JULY
Information letters are sent from Elementary School Principals to parents of 6th graders.	Elementary Schools and Middle Schools share information in cumulative files.	Middle School selection committees meet and make placement decisions.	Placement decisions are mailed to parents.

No action on your part is required for your child to be considered for Honors classes.  After the initial placement process has been completed, middle school principals will send notification letters to parents.  At that time, you will have the opportunity to request a re-consideration for specific Honors classes if you have additional information to provide that was not previously considered and would support placement in Honors classes. 

back to top