Gifted and Talented Education

The elementary school program begins with enrichment for kindergarten through grade 2 and offers creative activities and lessons based on students' advanced needs and maturity. The gifted teacher and general education teacher collaborate during the school year to meet the academic needs of students. Emphasis is placed upon critical thinking, creative problem solving, developing independent research skills, and stimulating creativity.

Kindergarten Talent Pool: The Kindergarten Talent Pool is the program for potentially gifted students who demonstrate high achievement in grades K-2. The placement decision is made according to student performance as documented on the eligibility matrix. The gifted teacher and the general teacher collaborate to meet the academic needs of needs. Those students are formally evaluated during the second-grade year to determine gifted identification and placement. 

QUEST: Quality Utilization Enrichment of Students' Talents, known as QUEST is a program for academically gifted students in grades 3-8. Students receive differentiated instruction from the gifted teacher and general education teacher throughout the year. Assignments are provided to stimulate and foster critical thinking and independent research skills. Students work individually and in small groups to develop independent learning skills, creative potential, and higher-level thinking abilities.

High school students who have been identified as gifted have the opportunity to enroll in a variety of advanced courses, including Advanced Placement (AP®) classes, Honors classes, and Dual-Credit classes. Dual-credit courses allow students to simultaneously earn high school credit and community college credit. All dual-credit, advanced placement, and honors courses are weighted. Guidance counselors at each School can provide additional information.

Governor's Summer Residential Programs: This residential summer program is designed to provide artistically and/or intellectually challenging and enriching experiences for a limited number of selected rising eleventh- and twelfth-graders. Governor's School program areas include: Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities, Marine Science, Mathematics, Science & Technology, Medicine & Health Sciences and Visual & Performing Arts (Dance, Instrumental Music, Theatre, Visual Art, Vocal Music).

All selected participants are enrolled in elective courses, seminars, and discussion groups at the sites. Schools are held around the state at college campuses, NASA-Langley, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Medical College of Virginia. Classes meet for one month in the summer.

Governor's School for the Arts: Rising ninth- through twelfth-grade students may apply for acceptance to the Governor's School for the Arts. Classes are offered in the following departments: Dance, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre + Film, Visual Arts and Vocal Music. Students are selected based on indicated ability, interest, and potential for artistic growth. Interviews, auditions, portfolio reviews, and application materials are used in the selection process. Each afternoon, students are transported to Norfolk for instruction in their chosen area of interest.