Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for elementary students to best meet each student’s current academic needs.  FCPS Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) strives to develop the talents of all students and provide challenge through both talent development and differentiation to meet the needs of advanced learners.  We work to identify and build upon student strengths, interests, and abilities, to meet diverse student needs through the continuum of services.  

Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment and access to differentiation including increased depth and complexity within content areas.  Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services (Level I, II and III) in each elementary school. Read more about the AAP continuum of services in English or Spanish. 

School-Based Services

Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level l)

All students in kindergarten through grade six receive Level I services which consist of lessons designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills.  Critical and creative thinking strategies are then utilized in lessons throughout the year.  In addition, all teachers integrate advanced academic curriculum resources into instruction each quarter.

Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)

The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges through lessons, assignments, and resources that enrich and extend the curriculum in areas of academic strength.  Students eligible for Level II services are rescreened annually to determine ongoing need for this level of service.

Part-Time Advanced Academic Program, Grades 3-6 (Level III)

Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services are challenged through instructional strategies designed to extend and enrich the Program of Studies (POS) in the four core subject areas.  AARTs and classroom teachers collaborate to plan and deliver instruction utilizing AAP strategies and curriculum resources to support differentiated instruction.  Students identified for Level III services maintain that level of service through 6th grade.

Screening for school-based services (Level II and Level III) is ongoing throughout the school year, and is also conducted schoolwide each spring to determine the most appropriate services for the following school year.  Parents or guardians may initiate the screening process for school-based services by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II/III) Referral Form to Abby Betz by April 15^th. Multiple criteria are used to screen students for all levels of AAP services.  Here is the AAP School-Based Services (Level II/III) Referral Form in English and Spanish.

Full-Time Services 

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)

Students found eligible for placement in the full-time advanced academic program (level IV) through a central screening and selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas. Screening for level IV services can occur in the fall for students who are new to FCPS and in the spring for all other students.  The referral deadline for spring screening is December 15^th, and all Level IV Referral Forms must be received by 11:59 pm on December 15^th to be considered.  Please check the Advanced Academic Program Website for deadlines each year.  Read more about the screening and identification process.

Belle View currently offers Local Level IV services in 3^rd and 4^th grades. 

Please contact our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Abby Betz, to learn more about the continuum of advanced academic services offered at Belle View, or to learn more about the referral and screening process.

Questions? Contact Abby Betz, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), at [email protected].