| AAP Services (Level II - IV) |
What services are available for students in middle school?
Honors classes offer students who demonstrate previous high achievement in specific areas of strength the opportunity to experience the Extended Program of Studies at greater levels of depth and complexity. Honors classes offer a rigorous and challenging curriculum in the four core subject areas. They also offer students an opportunity to develop relationships with peers who will then attend the same high school. Honors classes are available in all middle schools. In addition, eleven middle schools offer the Advanced Academic Level IV center program.
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What subject areas offer middle school Honors classes?
Honors classes are available in the four core academic areas of English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Honors classes use a Fairfax County Public Schools-developed middle school curriculum that extends the FCPS Program of Studies in depth and complexity. The curriculum is based on the Parallel Curriculum Model, a nationally endorsed model for high-ability learners.
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How and when are students enrolled in Honors classes?
The course selection process begins in February-March when middle schools begins the process of visiting elementary schools and sending home course selection forms. Parents will then have the opportunity to choose which Honors classes in which they would like to enroll their child and return the form to the school.
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How do I refer my child for Honors classes in middle school?
Honors classes are open enrollment. If parents/guardians feel that their child would benefit from Honors classes (or from additional Honors classes), they may contact the middle school principal and request enrollment in Honor classes.
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How much homework is involved in middle school Honors?
The amount of homework will vary depending on the instructional decisions made by the individual teacher and student learning styles. For more information on homework policies, refer to Regulation 3205, available online.
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My child has been in an elementary full-time AAP (level IV) center. What options are available at the local middle school?
Rising seventh grade level IV center-eligible students may attend the assigned full-time level IV center. They also automatically qualify for Honors English, Honors Social Studies, and Honors Science classes at their local middle schools. Parents/guardians help students make the decision whether or not to leave the level IV center at the end of the students' sixth grade year.
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How is the middle school AAP level IV center program different from the middle school Honors?
The level IV center program for students in grades 7 and 8 offers identified students a full-time, highly challenging instructional program in all core subjects: English, mathematics, social studies, and science. Honors classes are designed to provide opportunities for all students to develop academic strengths through a more rigorous and challenging program in identified subject areas.
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| Full-Time APP (Level IV) Center Program |
In what grades are students eligible to attend a full-time AAP (level IV) center?
Full-time AAP (level IV) center placements are for grades 3-8.
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May a child be referred for full-time AAP placement more than one time?
Yes. Children in grades 3-8 may be referred once each school year. Parents, who would like their child considered for full-time AAP placement, must complete a referral form each year and submit it to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at the local elementary school or the Director of Student Services at the middle school by the published deadline.
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What is the full-time AAP placement (level IV) program?
The level IV program provides full-time academic placement for highly gifted students. Teachers follow a curriculum framework to differentiate the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction based on the FCPS Program of Studies. Students work with academic peers in all core subject areas.
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Where are Full-time Advanced Academic (Level IV) centers located?
Level IV centers locations
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How is transportation provided to a full-time AAP (level IV) center?
FCPS provides transportation for students who have accepted placement to a level IV center. Level IV centers mail bus routes to parent/guardians.
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What are Local Level IV Services?
Local Level IV Services provide an important option for advanced learners who need the challenge of a full-time AAP center curriculum and do not want to leave their local school. They also provide another avenue of access for advanced academic services to students who may need to practice and strengthen their basic skills but have the capacity to think, reason, and problem solve at advanced levels.
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How does Local Level IV differ from the Full-time AAP Center?
The teachers in both settings are trained in gifted education and teach the same advanced academic curriculum to students who are ready for a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. The main difference is in the make-up of the class. All of the students in a full-time AAP center-based class have been identified as center-eligible by a central selection committee and will be coming from several neighborhood schools to comprise the center class. In a Local Level IV classroom, the students are a mix of students who are center-eligible and high achieving students who are capable of working at advanced levels, all enrolled in their local school.
Many schools that offer Local Level IV services add students to the Level IV class in areas of academic strength through flexible grouping. This is an important avenue of access for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in advanced academic programs.
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Will Local Level IV Services replace the existing full-time AAP center programs?
No, Local Level IV Services are not an attempt to close the existing full-time AAP centers; they are designed to provide access to the advanced academic level IV curriculum to more students. Families of eligible students have a choice about which option best meets their student's academic and social-emotional needs while access to curriculum and teachers trained in working with advanced learners is expanded to reach more students who are ready in areas of academic strength.
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How is it determined which schools will provide Local Level IV Services?
Elementary schools that are interested in providing this level of service with strong community support submit a proposal to their Cluster Assistant Superintendent. The proposal is reviewed, discussed, and then forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and the Advanced Academic Programs office. The proposal includes a rationale for providing Local Level IV Services, an implementation timeline, professional development plans for teachers, and staff and community input.
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If my local school offers Local Level IV Services, what are my choices and how do I indicate my decision?
Parent/guardians of students at schools that offer Local Level IV Services have two choices if they wish their level IV- eligible child to participate in the full-time AAP (level IV) curriculum. The eligibility letter mailed to parent/guardians includes a Permission Form. Parent/guardians may elect to keep the child at the local school and receive Level IV Services OR request that the child be placed in the full-time AAP (level IV) center based on your FCPS street address.
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If my local school does NOT offer Local Level IV Services, what are my choices and how do I indicate my decision?
Parent/guardians of students found eligible for full-time AAP (level IV) center placement are assigned to a full-time AAP (level IV) center based on their address. The eligibility letter mailed to parent/guardians includes a Permission Form. If your local school does not offer Local Level IV services and you choose not to send your child to the available full-time AAP (level IV) center, your child may participate in the school-based (level III) program at your local school.
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What do I do with the Permission Form?
The Permission Form contains all necessary instructions. The form is completed and returned to the Advanced Academic Programs office by the due date.
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What are the student-teacher ratios for students who receive Local Level IV Services and full-time AAP (level IV) center classes?
The staffing formula for Local Level IV Services and full-time AAP (level IV) centers is the same as for general education classes.
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Are there space limitations?
No, all students found eligible for the Level IV services are guaranteed placement.
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How are teachers chosen to teach Local Level IV Services?
Teachers are selected by the school principal. All FCPS teachers must hold a valid Virginia Teaching License. Teachers are required to receive an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education on their state license or an FCPS endorsement in working with advanced learners within five years of accepting an AAP assignment.
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How much homework can students expect to receive?
Schools with full-time AAP (level IV) centers follow the same regulation guidelines as the general education program. FCPS regulation number 3205 states, "On average, homework across disciplines should not exceed 0.5 hours for primary level, 1 hour at the upper elementary level, 1.5 hours at the middle school level, and 2 hours at the high school level." For more information on homework policies, refer to Regulation 3205, available online.
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Are there orientations/tours for students who are eligible for full-time AAP (level IV) center placement?
Yes, information regarding orientations and tours is included in the eligibility letters mailed to parents/guardians. Orientations occur in May. The specific dates are determined by each level IV center school.
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What happens if my child is found eligible for the full-time AAP (level IV) center program but chooses not to attend the designated center or receive Local Level IV Services?
Students found eligible for the full-time AAP (level IV) center program may defer eligibility by noting so on the parent/guardian Permission Form. Students may activate their eligibility status at a later date by submitting the Reactivation Form to the Advanced Academic Programs Office and including a copy of the eligibility letter. The Reactivation Form is available on the forms page. Students may also be considered for school-based services at the local school.
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Can a sibling of a student in the full-time AAP (level IV) center be transferred to the same school?
A parent or guardian may request a student transfer for his or her school-aged child (K-12) for the next school year during transfer season. Student transfers are made on a space available basis and must meet one of the requirements in regulation 2230  :
(1) family relocation;
(2) child care hardship (elementary only);
(3) medical, emotional, social adjustment;
(4) FCPS parent employee working 20 or more hours per week; or
(5) high school curricular program.
Parents or guardians are advised to review the student transfer regulation and frequently asked questions before making a request. Student transfer information
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What is the difference between full-time AAP (level IV) centers and foreign language immersion schools?
Students found eligible for placement in a full-time Advanced Academic Program (Level IV) through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. The Level IV program is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Students have ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment that develop an understanding of the characteristics, demands, and responsibilities of advanced intellectual development.
Foreign Language partial immersion is a means of acquiring a foreign language through content matter instruction. Students learn mathematics, science, and health through the medium of a foreign language (French, German, Japanese or Spanish). Half the school day is spent learning in the foreign language. Students receive instruction in English for language arts and social studies during the other half of the day. Math, science, and health were chosen for the beginning years of development of the foreign language because they use manipulatives and concrete, hand-on activities, both of which help with the natural second language acquisition process. The foreign language immersion teacher teams with the grade-level English teachers to integrate the total FCPS curriculum.
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If my child attends a magnet school or a foreign language partial immersion school that also houses a Level IV center, may my child stay at this school if they are found eligible for Level IV advanced academic services?
Students are assigned to Level IV centers based on their home address. If the magnet school or foreign language partial immersion school is not your assigned Level IV center, then your child must attend the assigned center if you would like them to be enrolled in Level IV services.
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