Advanced Academics Overview
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-12. Learning opportunities are designed to meet the unique learning profile of each advanced learner through a continuum of services designed to focus and engage the student in challenging learning experiences that develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extensions of the Program of Studies (POS). Classroom teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) collaborate to deliver the various levels of service.
Advanced Academics at Oakton ES
The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher and classroom teachers teach nine higher order thinking strategies (Level I) across all subject areas and grade levels. The strategies are embedded in lessons that incorporate 21st Century thinking skills and extend and enrich the Program of Studies (POS) for all learners. Student responses to the lessons are also used to collect evidence of advanced academic potential in order to ensure equity and increase access to Advanced Academic Programs.
Differentiated lessons (Level II) are offered to students in areas of specific academic strength. The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges and resources within the general education program.
Students identified by a local school screening committee for advanced academic services (Level III) are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas.
Students found eligible for placement in a full-time Advanced Academic Program (Level IV) through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. The Level IV program is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Students have ongoing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment that develop an understanding of the characteristics, demands, and responsibilities of advanced intellectual development.