Mount Daniel & Thomas Jefferson Elementary Enrichment K-2 In kindergarten through second grade, the Enrichment Coordinator collaborates with classroom teachers to support the delivery of differentiated instruction that focuses on critical thinking and problem solving.

Small, fluid groups meet with the Enrichment Coordinator to further explore a variety of engaging humanities and math topics. Second graders have the opportunity to participate in enrichment groups during Tiger Pause. Formal identification for the Academic and Creative Endeavors (ACE) program occurs at the end of second grade.

Beth Green, Enrichment Coordinator [email protected] https://aspaceforace.wordpress.com

Thomas Jefferson Elementary Gifted Services 3-5 Students receiving Level One and Level Two ACE services participate in enrichment sessions with a designated classroom teacher during Tiger Pause. In addition, Level Two ACE students receive instruction on a weekly basis from a Gifted Education Specialist in their designated area of strength. Students can also choose to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Odyssey of the Mind, the Philosophy Slam, Science Olympiad, and Math Kangaroo.

Heidi Lang, Gifted Education Specialist [email protected] https://tjacenews.wordpress.com/ Laura Coates, Gifted Education Specialist [email protected]

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle Gifted Services 6-8 Mary Ellen Henderson ACE identified students have the opportunity to take Honors English as well as advanced math. The Gifted Education Specialist collaborates with the teachers to provide enrichment activities. ACE identified students receive extra enrichment through the ACE FLEX block. Students in the FLEX class work collaboratively to develop critical and creative thinking skills. Students have the opportunity to participate in afterschool enrichment opportunities such as Math club, Model UN, Odyssey of the Mind, the Literary Magazine, and chess club.

Susan Deal, Gifted Education Specialist [email protected]

George Mason High Gifted Services 9-12 Students at George Mason High School have a variety of advanced classes from which to choose. In addition to standard classes, GMHS offers:  Honors level classes in many subjects.  International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme classes in many subjects to students in 11th and 12th grade.  Advanced Placement classes sanctioned by the College Board.  Dual Enrollment courses in conjunction with Northern Virginia Community College. GMHS also challenges its students with numerous extracurricular opportunities through clubs, academic and athletic teams. Dan Coast, Gifted Education Specialist & IB/AP Coordinator [email protected]

Gifted Education Program

FCCPS: Gifted Education Program Falls Church City Public Schools is committed to providing services that meet the academic needs of gifted learners. Instruction is designed and paced to challenge each learner at the appropriate level and to stimulate complex thinking and problem solving. The FCCPS program of education for our gifted learners is made up of several key components - early childhood enrichment, the ACE program for identified gifted learners in the elementary and middle school, and a selection of rigorous coursework delivered at the high school. Gifted students are considered to be those with abilities and instructional needs that differ from their local peers to a degree that differentiated educational opportunities and/or special programs must be provided to further develop their potential. Such students demonstrate or have the potential to demonstrate superior reasoning; persistent intellectual curiosity; advanced use of language; exceptional problem solving; rapid acquisition and mastery of facts, concepts, and principles; and creative and imaginative expression across a broad range of intellectual disciplines compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment. FCCPS seeks to find those students who demonstrate remarkable strength and performance in the specific academic aptitude areas of English/Language Arts and/or Mathematics.

Screening: During the second grade year all students will be screened using norm-referenced ability and achievement assessments in English and mathematics. At the end of second grade the Screening, Identification and Placement Committee (SIP) will analyze the assessment information from multiple data sources and determine the eligibility status of each student. Students will be formally identified for the Academic and Creative Endeavors Program (ACE) in June of their second grade year. Referral: Parents or legal guardians, teachers, professionals, students, peers, self or others may refer their children for services at any time. Parents may refer their own children by filling out a Parent Observation Rating Scale (PORS). Standardized testing at all grade levels is reviewed regularly in search of potential candidates for referral. In addition, the records of transfer students are included in the referral process. Identification: The Screening, Identification and Placement Committee (SIP) will place identified students in Level One or Level Two groupings for math and/or English at grades 3-8. The decision is based on multiple data points from ability and achievement assessments and observation rating scales. All criteria is reviewed and no one data source will determine eligibility or ineligibility. For a student who falls into one of the VA Department of Education recognized subgroups additional measures may be used to determine eligibility. Service Delivery:  Enrichment (K-2) – In Kindergarten through second grade, the enrichment coordinator will collaborate with the classroom teachers to provide differentiated instruction in all classrooms and special project opportunities for students that focus on critical thinking and problem solving.  Level One (3-8) - This level of academic intervention is available for students who master academic content with limited teacher support. Students at Level One receive a curriculum differentiated within the regular classroom in grades 3-5 and the opportunity to participate in advanced courses in grades 6-8. Students also receive enrichment opportunities during Tiger Pause (3-5) or FLEX (6-8)  Level Two (3-8) - In addition to differentiation of the curriculum and enrichment during Tiger Pause and FLEX, Level Two students will receive more in-depth, individualized support from the gifted education teacher and/or placement in advanced/ accelerated groupings/courses.  Advanced Courses (9-12) – Students have the opportunity to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and Honors. The opportunity to apply to Summer Residential Governor’s School and/or Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is available for all students. Resources:  National Association for Gifted Children: http://www.nagc.org/  VDOE Gifted Education: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/  FCCPS Gifted Education: http://97.74.4.86/~web/fccps/main/academics/gifted  Gifted Students at the High School: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/opportunities_for_gifted_at_high_school.pdf  Gifted Students at the Middle School: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/opportunities_for_gifted_middle_school_students.pdf

Falls Church City Public Schools

800 West Broad Street, Suite 203

Falls Church, VA 22046

www.fccps.org

703-248-5600

703-248-5613 (fax)