Gifted Services

Empowering Potential. Cultivating Excellence.

At Fluvanna County Public Schools, we believe every student has unique strengths, interests, and potential. Our Gifted & Advanced Academic Services provide opportunities for students who demonstrate advanced abilities to be challenged, supported, and inspired as learners. Through a continuum of services from kindergarten through high school, we provide learning experiences that encourage students to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and pursue areas of passion and curiosity.

Characteristics of a Gifted Learner

Gifted learners are not all alike. Students may demonstrate advanced abilities in different ways, and their strengths may emerge in different settings and at different times.

Some characteristics commonly associated with gifted learners include:

  • Advanced comprehension

  • Deep and wide reading interests

  • Intense curiosity and passion for particular subjects

  • Complex problem-solving abilities

  • Exceptional memory

  • Intellectual perseverance

  • Strong questioning and reasoning skills

  • A desire to understand how and why things work

  • The ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas

Gifted students may also have areas in which they need support. Being advanced academically does not mean a student will automatically excel in every subject or aspect of school. Our goal is to understand the whole learner and provide appropriate challenge, support, and opportunities for growth.

What Is Gifted Education?

Gifted education provides specialized learning opportunities for students who demonstrate advanced abilities or potential in particular areas. Identification and services are designed to recognize student strengths while providing appropriate opportunities for challenge and growth. Our gifted services focus on Specific Academic Aptitude in Reading and Mathematics. Gifted education is not simply about doing more work. It is about providing students with opportunities to engage in learning that is appropriately challenging, meaningful, complex, and connected to their abilities and interests.

Gifted services may include:

  • Cluster grouping of students with similar academic needs

  • Curriculum compacting and acceleration

  • Enrichment and advanced learning opportunities

  • Advanced Coursework

Students and families are encouraged to work with school counselors and teachers to develop an academic pathway that aligns with the student's interests, strengths, and future goals.

Profile of a Gifted Learner

Screening, Referral & Identification

FCPS uses multiple measures and sources of information when considering students for gifted identification. No single test or score determines eligibility.

Screening measures may include:

  • Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) for rising kindergarten students

  • Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) in Grades 2 and 5

  • Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) teacher rating scales

  • MAP assessment data

  • Literacy and academic performance data

  • Other relevant classroom and assessment information

Who Can Refer a Student?

A referral may come from:

  • Parents or guardians

  • Teachers

  • School staff

  • Community members

  • Peers

  • The student through self-referral

Families do not need to wait for a teacher or school staff member to initiate the process. If you believe your child may benefit from consideration for gifted services, you are encouraged to submit a referral.

Questions About Gifted Services?

We are here to help families understand the gifted education process and connect students with opportunities that support their strengths and interests.

If you have questions about the referral, identification, or services process, please reach out to your child's school point of contact for Gifted Services:

Central Elementary, Rebecca Smith, Assistant Principal

Carysbrook Elementary, Amy Hartwell, ITRT

Fluvanna Middle School, Lara Dugolinsky, Principal

Fluvanna County High School, Stacey Holland, Assistant Principal

Partnering With Families & Our Community

The Local Gifted Advisory Committee (LAC) provides an opportunity for parents, educators, administrators, support staff, and community members to contribute to the development and continuous improvement of gifted education services in FCPS. The committee meets each year and includes representation from administrators, teachers and parents. For additional information about our Local Gifted Plan, please contact Allison Poindexter, Division Instructional Coordinator.