Middle School Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)
Fairfax County Public Schools provides a continuum of advanced academic services at the middle school level. Services provided to middle school students include Young Scholars, Honors classes, Level IV services, and the International Baccalaureate® (IB)
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Advanced Academic Programs offer several challenging learning experiences to meet the needs of a broad range of advanced learners in middle schools. Advanced Academic services are implemented in middle schools using a school-based model through Honors coursework and Level IV Services. Middle School Honors classes are open enrollment. Eligibility for Level IV services is determined through a central selection committee.
Honors Courses
FCPS honors courses, available to middle and high school students, are based on extensions of the FCPS Program of Studies. Students may self-select one or more honors courses in areas that match their academic interests or strengths. Extensions based on the Parallel Curriculum Model add depth and complexity to student learning experiences.
To learn more about the parallel curriculum model, please reference Carol Ann Tomlinson’s The Parallel Curriculum: A Design to Develop Learner Potential and Challenge Advanced Learners (2009). Students in honors courses frequently use abstract, critical thinking approaches through inquiry-based projects to extend and deepen their understanding of the content. Honors courses prepare students for future success in the next step of their academic journey.
In middle school mathematics, an honors course accelerates the student to the next grade level. To learn more about specific honors courses, check the individual course descriptions in our FCPS course catalog.
Mathematics 7 Honors is open enrollment for all students. This course is an acceleration of mathematics curriculum which requires students to master the content assessed on the Mathematics 8 SOL assessment. Students who have not completed Advanced Mathematics 6 may need support and/or require additional effort and study to be successful. Both Mathematics 7 and Mathematics 7 Honors prepare students for Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 Honors in Grade 8.
Algebra I Honors is open enrollment for all 8th grade students; however, there are specific requirements for enrollment in Algebra I Honors in 7th grade:
- Successful completion of the Advanced Mathematics Grade 6 curriculum or a year-long accelerated mathematics program
- Score at or above the 91st percentile on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)
- Score a pass advanced (500 or above) on the grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) test
Contact the AAP office at [email protected] or 571-423-4740.
Young Scholars
The Young Scholars (YS) model identifies and nurtures advanced academic potential in students from historically underrepresented populations. Find information on the model and AAP services for YS.
International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP)
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP) is an all-inclusive program for students in grades 6 through 10, with students choosing to pursue the FCPS MYP certificate in tenth grade.
Honors, Grades 7-8
Honors classes in middle school are open to all students who seek academic rigor. Fairfax County offers open enrollment in Honors social studies, English, science, and mathematics classes.
Full-Time Advanced Academic Program, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Full-time Advanced Academic Program (Level IV) focuses on academic depth and complexity in the four core content areas. Eligibility for Level IV services is determined through a selection committee at the central office level.
Full-Time Advanced Academic Program School Assignments
Full-Time Advanced Academic Center Placements by School
Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
2e learners have the ability to think, reason, and problem-solve at advanced levels, and they also have special learning needs. FCPS provides accommodations to ensure the success for 2e students--a unique group of learners.
