Advanced Academic Services available at Fairfax County Public Schools include the following options:

• Elementary School Continuum
  • Level I - All students, no referral needed
  • Level II - Part-time, Grades K-6
  • Level III - Part-time, Grades 3-6
  • Level IV - Full-time, Grades 3-6
  • Young Scholars - Select students, Grades K-6
• Middle School:
  • Honors Classes - Open access at all FCPS middle schools, no referral needed
  • Level IV - Full-time, Grades 7-8
• High School: Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate Program - Open access, no referral needed

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)

If you are a military family moving to the area, please follow the directions on the AAP Identification and Placement for Military Families page.

Part-Time Level II/III Services - Identification for Advanced Academic School-Based Services

Screening is done when school is in session once the new student is enrolled and attending their local school. Questions regarding student eligibility or placement in school-based services should be directed to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at the local school. The principal reviews all pertinent information with the local screening committee and informs parents/guardians of the decision.

All students are evaluated for school-based services using multiple measures during the spring screening timeframe in May. For consideration outside of the screening window, please follow the steps below.

Step 1

• Submit the Level II-III Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at your local elementary school when school is in session.
• Questions regarding student eligibility or placement in school-based services should be directed to the AART. 

Step 2

• The AART reviews all pertinent information with the local screening committee. 
• The school will notify you of the eligibility decision by mail within approximately 30 days. 

Step 3

Eligible:

Students will begin receiving services immediately after a decision is processed.

Ineligible:

The decision may be appealed once per school year by contacting the AART in writing and providing new information about the student.

Full-Time Level IV Services - Identification for Immediate Placement

NOTE: This process is ONLY for families physically moving into Fairfax County boundaries. Current Fairfax residents attending private or home school either follow the private or home school procedure. Current FCPS students must go through fall screening.

Step 1

Complete the student registration process for your local school. No student may be considered until they are registered in FCPS with a student ID number.

Step 2

Put together a file with the following information. Please make copies as the materials will not be returned.

• Required
  • FCPS Student ID Number.
  • Report cards for the two previous years.
  • At least one nationally normed ability test from the list below. Test results need to be reported in ability index format as well as percentile.
    • Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
    • Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3)
    • Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) (7th Edition)
    • Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
    • Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC V)
    • Cognitive Assessment System (CAS)
    • Differential Ability Scale Second Edition (DAS II)
    • Kaufman Assessment Battery
    • Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS)
    • In-View Cognitive Abilities Assessment

Ability tests do not expire. If your student already has results from one of these tests (in ability index format as well as percentile), we can accept them.

• Optional - 
  • Achievement test results.
  • Record of previous advanced academic or gifted services.
  • Five pages of student work samples.

Additional Information Regarding Ability Testing

If the student does not currently have an ability test score testing can be done:

• At GMU through the Cognitive Assessment Program (CAP) 
  • Group tests include the CogAT and NNAT.
  • Individual tests include the WISC-V and DAS-II.
  • GMU offers testing at no charge for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Families must complete the Consent to Share Information form to qualify.
  • Email CAP at [email protected]. 
• Through a private, state-licensed psychologist. A copy of their license must accompany the results.

Step 3

During the School Year:

• Schedule an appointment with the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) at your local elementary school or the Director of Student Services (DSS) at the middle school.
• The AART/DSS will review the information and share the processes for referring and screening for school-based services (Levels II-III or Honors) or full-time placement in Level IV.

During the Summer:

Complete Steps 1 and 2 (above), and get their student ID number.

• Submit your paperwork to the AAP Office for screening:
  1. Scan the paperwork.
  2. Email the paperwork to [email protected]. 
  3. In the subject line write your student's ID number and Summer Placement (e.g., 1000007 Summer Placement). 

The last day to email a file to be processed in time for the first day of school is August 2, 2024. 

We continue to accept summer files through August 18, 2024. Your student will start at the base school and transfer to a Level IV classroom (at the Local Level IV or the center school) if found eligible for services.

After August 18, 2024, please follow the instructions above for applying during the school year.

There is no appeal process for students who are found ineligible during screening for immediate placement. Students who are found ineligible may be screened again in the next scheduled screening cycle for current FCPS students by submitting a referral to the local school according to published deadlines.