Young Scholars (K-12)

The Young Scholars (YS) Model identifies and nurtures advanced academic potential in students from historically underrepresented populations.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) created the Young Scholars Model to increase representation of diverse students in K-12 Advanced Academic Programs. In this model school staff and families work together to:

  • Find and nurture gifted potential.
  • Support academic mindsets and habits.
  • Prepare students for more challenging and rigorous courses.

Access and Opportunity

The Young Scholars model creates a school culture that:

  • Provides many opportunities for tasks that show talent.
  • Emphasizes students’ ability to think, reason, and problem solve.
  • Provides opportunities for access and supports for success in K-12 advanced coursework.

Because Young Scholars (YS) is a model, schools meet the goals in different ways. Examples of YS in action include:

  • Use of units from the Advanced Academic Programs curriculum framework (elementary school students).
  • Career exploration through Project-Based Learning (all students).
  • Young Scholars Summer Camp (for elementary and middle school students; select school sites).
  • Student Leadership Academies (rising middle school students).
  • Progress Reflection and Goal Setting Conferences (middle and high school students).
  • Young Scholars Summer Institutes (high school students).
  • Young Scholars Advisory Time (middle and high school students).

Identification of Young Scholars

A local school committee identifies students for Young Scholars using the YS profile. Elementary school students are also identified for AAP services at that time. For questions about Young Scholars, please contact:

Elementary School: Advanced Academic Resource Teacher

Middle and High School: Director of Student Services

Young Scholar Schools

YS are typically identified in elementary school. As YS move to middle and high school, each school staff works with students and families to ensure continued support for access and success in advanced coursework.

School List

  • Aldrin ES
  • Annandale Terrace ES
  • Armstrong ES
  • Bailey's ES
  • Bailey's Upper ES
  • Beech Tree ES
  • Belvedere ES
  • Braddock ES
  • Bren Mar Park ES
  • Brookfield ES
  • Bucknell ES
  • Bull Run ES
  • Bush Hill ES
  • Camelot ES
  • Cameron ES
  • Canterbury Woods ES
  • Cardinal Forest ES
  • Centre Ridge ES
  • Centreville ES
  • Cherry Run ES
  • Clearview ES
  • Clermont ES
  • Columbia ES
  • Crestwood ES
  • Cub Run ES
  • Cunningham Park ES
  • Daniels Run ES
  • Deer Park ES
  • Dogwood ES
  • Dranesville ES
  • Eagle View ES
  • Fairfax Villa ES
  • Fairhill ES
  • Forest Edge ES
  • Forestdale ES
  • Fort Belvoir Primary ES
  • Fort Belvoir Upper ES
  • Fort Hunt ES
  • Franconia ES
  • Freedom Hill ES
  • Garfield ES
  • Glen Forest ES
  • Graham Road ES
  • Greenbriar East ES
  • Groveton ES
  • Gunston ES
  • Halley ES
  • Haycock ES
  • Hayfield ES
  • Herndon ES
  • Hollin Meadows ES
  • Hunt Valley ES
  • Hunters Woods ES
  • Hutchison ES
  • Hybla Valley ES
  • Island Creek ES
  • Keene Mill ES
  • Lake Anne ES
  • Lane ES
  • Laurel Hill ES
  • Little Run ES
  • London Towne ES
  • Lorton Station ES
  • Louise Archer ES
  • Lutie Lewis Coates ES
  • Lynbrook ES
  • Mason Crest ES
  • McNair Primary ES
  • McNair Upper ES
  • Mosby Woods ES
  • Mount Eagle ES
  • Mount Vernon Woods ES
  • Newington Forest ES
  • North Springfield ES
  • Olde Creek ES
  • Orange Hunt
  • Parklawn ES
  • Pine Spring ES
  • Providence ES
  • Ravensworth ES
  • Riverside ES
  • Rolling Valley ES
  • Rose Hill ES
  • Saratoga ES
  • Shrevewood ES
  • Silverbrook ES
  • Sleepy Hollow ES
  • Springfield Estates ES
  • Stratford Landing ES
  • Terra Centre ES
  • Terraset ES
  • Timber Lane ES
  • Union Mill ES
  • Wakefield Forest ES
  • Washington Mill ES
  • Westgate ES
  • Westlawn ES
  • West Springfield ES
  • Weyanoke ES
  • Woodburn ES
  • Woodlawn ES
  • Woodley Hills ES