Advanced Academic Program
AAP Information
The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at Willow Springs is happy to provide information about levels of service as well as explain and answer questions about the screening and identification process for AAP services.
There was a virtual meeting on October 5 regarding our Advanced Academic Program, please use this link to access the presentation.
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/VAEDUFCPS/2021/10/01/file_a…
There will be a virtual question and answer meeting for the Level IV Advanced Academic Program for grades two through six on Thursday, October 28th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. You may join the meeting using this zoom link.
The spring referral deadline is December 15th.
The Advanced Academic Programs at Willow Springs provide challenging learning experiences that are designed to meet the unique learning profile of a broad range of advanced learners. Through a continuum of opportunities, students engage in complex subject matter, preparing them for more challenging and rigorous classes as they advance in grade level. Children identified for FCPS advanced academic services exhibit exceptional performance capability in academic, intellectual, and creative endeavors. In order to meet their needs and develop to their potential, these learners require a differentiated curriculum.
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) ELEMENTARY CONTINUUM OF SERVICES
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-8. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Program of Studies (POS). Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of services. A video showing each level of service in action, as well as information about middle and high school services are available at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics.
- Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)
Level I services are provided to all students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 and consist of lessons designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills. Strategies are modeled in all classrooms by AARTs and are used throughout the year by classroom and other teachers. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for Levels II-IV. Parents may also practice these strategies during family conversations and activities. Descriptions and videos of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking.
Because Level I services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.
- Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)
Level II services are available for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 for students with strength in a specific subject area. The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges using materials from the AAP curriculum framework for Levels II-IV to extend and enrich in the subject area strength. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year.
To have your student screened for Level II services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form available at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPSchoolBasedServicesReferralForm_0.pdf.
Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
Level III services are available for students in Grades 3-6 who are eligible for part-time direct services from the AART. Students are identified by a screening committee at the local school. The AART uses materials from the AAP curriculum framework for Levels II-IV in the four core subject areas through either a weekly pull-out class or weekly co-teaching model with the classroom teacher. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year.
To have your student screened for Level III services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form available at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPSchoolBasedServicesReferralForm_4.pdf
- Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Level IV services are available for students found eligible through a central selection process. The program is available in Grades 3-8. Eligible students use the curriculum from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four academic subject areas on a full-time basis.
Screening for Level IV services occurs during specific screening cycles:
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- Fall screening is held for students who are new to FCPS and have been referred
- Spring screening is held for any FCPS-enrolled student who has been referred
Due to the volume of files screened centrally for Level IV services, deadlines are strictly held.
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- A referral form may be turned in from the first day of school until the published deadline.
- The referral form is available on the FCPS website at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPLevelIVReferralForm_1.pdf.
- Parents/Guardians may complete the questionnaire to support AAP identification for Levels II-IV at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPParentGuardianQuestionnaire_3.pdf
Additional information about the holistic screening process, information used for screening, and the timeline may be found at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement
- Middle and High School AAP
Additional information about middle and high school services may be found on the Advanced Academic Programs web page: