Yorktown Advanced Academics & Talent Development

Gifted students need opportunities to think abstractly, work at various rates and levels of complexity, and pursue tasks independently. In addition, students eligible for gifted services need opportunities to learn with others of like abilities, as well as opportunities to develop socio-emotionally. APS Advanced Academics and Talent Development is implemented through school-based and countywide activities, which comply with School Board and State objectives. These school-based services are delivered in the following ways:

• APS Advanced Academics and Talent Development collaborative resource model, in which the classroom teacher works with the Advanced Academics Coach (AAC) to develop and present appropriately differentiated learning experiences for gifted students within the general education classroom.

• In the general education classroom setting, identified students are cluster-grouped (minimum of 5 – 8) and through a variety of flexible groupings based on ongoing data.

• Identified students work with teachers who are specifically trained in instructional needs of and curriculum written for gifted students.

• Specific curricula which are differentiated or extended from concepts in the general education curriculum, and when appropriate, through opportunities for acceleration and extension.
• APS Advanced Academics & Talent Development website
•  2022-2027 APS Gifted Services Local Plan
• APS Gifted Services FAQ

Advanced Placement courses & AP Capstone Diploma at Yorktown HS

Early Online College at NOVA gives qualified juniors and seniors in local school systems an opportunity to take up to two tuition-free courses per semester for college credit.   See Early Online College at NOVA for application and course offerings.

Reach out to [email protected] for more information.

• Collaborate with the AAC to provide differentiated curriculum, extension opportunities, and supplemental curriculum resources.
• Plan units and lessons to meet the learning needs of students identified for gifted services.
• Coordinate instructional needs of all learners in the classroom.
• Keep open communication with AAC regarding students that may need to be screened for gifted services.

•  Collaborate and co-plan with teachers
• Extend and deepen student learning through higher level discussion, rich content, and high expectations
• Provide supplemental resources
• Model lessons, co-instruct, or facilitate lessons
• Coaching best practices instructional strategies (i.e. APS k-12 Critical Thinking Strategies)
• Facilitate book clubs and extension projects
• Promote differentiation practices throughout the school
• Manage gifted and talented screening process and evaluation
• Facilitate professional development for teachers

• Learn about APS Advanced Academics and Talent Development
• APS Advanced Academics and Talent Development FAQs
• VA Summer Residential Governor’s School information
• APS Fine Arts Apprentice Program ​​ information
• APS Work-Based Learning & Student Opportunities

APS High School Work-Based Learning

APS Career and Technical Education (CTE)

• VA Summer Residential Governor’s School information from VDOE

• APS Fine Arts Apprentice Program ​​ information

• Early Online College at NOVA gives qualified juniors and seniors in local school systems an opportunity to take up to two tuition-free courses per semester for college credit. Reach out to [email protected] for more information.

• Programs for Gifted Students

• Math, Science and Technology

• Art

• Virginia Association for the Gifted

  • 2025 ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN VIRGINIA this is a comprehensive list of enrichment opportunities for gifted learners in Virginia.  Please contact the individual groups listed to find out more about their programs.

• The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) Partners with NASA, Industry, and Institutions to Provide STEM Education, Promote STEM Research, and Prepare a Diverse STEM Workforce. Free opportunities for HS students are listed below. Want further info? Contact VSGC [email protected]

  Program Name & link	Target student audience	Application due date & link
  Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)	9th grade students	Applications openDec 1. 2025 – Feb 1. 2026
  Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS)	10th grade students	Applications open and due Oct 26, 2025
  Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)	11th & 12th grade students	Applications open and due Oct 26, 2025
  Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS)	11th & 12th grade students	Applications open and due Oct 26, 2025

• Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
• Banson NYC Fashion Summer New York, NY. Designed for 9th through 12th grades students, on- site and on-line. Each week-long session will teach the students the fundamentals of the fashion industry by providing an insider\’s perspective.
• Boston Architectural College Summer Academy This is a design exploration program for HS students entering grades 10 and above. Students explore both fundamental design skills and critical thinking skills through drawing, collage, photography, model-making, and mapping complex systems.
• Bucknell University Summer Experience Spend a week living like a college student. Live in stay our residence halls, attend classes taught by Bucknell professors and develop problem-solving skills designed to help you make an impact on the world.
• Civic Leadership Institute: Programs located at Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University and University of California Berkeley. A three-week summer service-learning program for outstanding students. The program combines hands-on education, meaningful service, powerful speakers and seminars, with a residential experience
• Cleveland State University Summer Odyssey, Cleveland, Ohio School of Film and Media Arts offers learning opportunities for young filmmakers aged 13-18, Residential and day programs
• College of William and Mary: Williamsburg, VA Rising senior and newly graduated high school students can take full-credit classes during our summer sessions. This is an excellent way to get a taste of academic life at a highly selective university.
• Colorado College. Pre-College Summer Program: A program specially designed for ambitious high school students. Opportunities to immerse themselves in the rhythm of the Block Plan and experience living on Colorado College’s campus CC’s summer session provides students with a rich opportunity to explore challenging academics, get inspired by the wondrous Rocky Mountain Region, and be supported by faculty that are invested in your success.
• Cornell University Summer Programs: Ithaca, NY Cornell’s Summer College offers pre-college programs for motivated high school students. Experience college life and take college courses with renowned faculty.
• George Mason University Summer Camp Fairfax VA Academic, Visual & Performing Arts, Science & Technology, Recreation & Sports programs.
• George Mason’s Washington Youth Summit on the Environment & Field Ecology Conservation Program: Fairfax VA Interactive program that for highest-achieving students with interest in the environment, conservation, and sustainability, and with the desire to explore careers in the fields of environmental science, conservation, policy, law, and engineering.
• Georgetown’s Summer High School Programs: Washington, D.C. An immersive learning experience that prepares you with the tools needed for college success. Ranging in length from one to five weeks, our programs span many subjects, covering everything from forensic science and politics to creative writing and digital design.
• Johns Hopkins University Summer Pre-College Programs: Opportunity to take JHU undergraduate level courses during the summer. In addition, to earning college credit, students experience life at Hopkins while living on campus and engaging in academic and social activities with their peers.
• Lebanon Valley College’s Actuarial Science Camp: Annville, PA Actuarial Science Summer Camps are week-long intensive programs for rising high school seniors designed to help them decide if they’re interested in actuarial careers.
• Loyola Marymount University Pre-College Summer Programs: This is an engaging opportunity for motivated students to get a sneak peek at college life through a unique 2 week experience designed to challenge students’ critical & creative ways of thinking.
• New York University Pre-College Program: More than 100 exciting courses and immerse yourself in the NYU experience during the six-week Precollege program. Boost your college readiness through courses and extracurricular programming designed just for Precollege students.
• SCAD Art and Design Summer Seminars: Weeklong workshops for high school students who have completed their freshman, sophomore, or junior years. Students gain valuable experience while developing their creativity through exciting art and design projects.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Early College Summer , Chicago, IL SAIC’s Early College Program is a great way to earn college credit and explore your passion for art at one of the most historically significant accredited independent schools of art and design in the nation, in the heart of Chicago.
• Sorensen Institute’s High School Leaders Program: A two week concentrated study in Virginia politics and government for high school students. The HSLP is based on a firm belief that young people not only can make a positive difference in their communities, they should be strongly encouraged to do so.
• Stanford Summer Institute: Stanford, CA. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies advances the education of academically talented, intellectually curious, pre-college students. We offer a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of top students everywhere.
• Susquehanna University: Selingsgrove, PA. Offers exceptional a variety of summer educational institutes, ranked in the top 20 in the nation by Value Colleges and no. 21 by College Consensus.
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission Summer Program: New London, CT AIM is exclusively for students preparing to enter their senior year of high school, AIM is now widely regarded as the most realistic service academy summer orientation program in the country. AIM will test and inspire those interested in serving their country and humanity.
• University of Virginia Cornerstone Summer Institute Charlottesville:  A week-long summer camp where high school students learn about slavery and its legacies by exploring the University, Charlottesville, and area landmarks. [email protected] https://slavery.virginia.edu/cornerstone- summer-institute/
• Virginia Tech C-Tech2:  For female students going into 11 or 12 grade. Spending time involved in hands-on activities designed to increase your interest in and knowledge of engineering applications to real-world situations.
• Virginia Commonwealth University PIPELINE:  Our Pipeline programs for high school students are designed to assist in the college and career decision-making. Learn from current college students, health care professionals, and researchers about the extensive and exciting options in the healthcare field.
• VCU Arts Pre-College Program: Develop practical knowledge and skills to prepare you for college-level performing arts auditions and/or develop your application portfolio. •
• Wellesley Pre-College Exploratory Workshops: For High-school sophomore, junior & senior girls with a passion for topics in the Humanities, our 1 or 2-weeks workshops. Pre-College students will be challenged to think critically and engage deeply with unique academic topics.

https://careercenter.apsva.us/volunteer-internships-enrichment/

APS Advanced Academics Summer Opportunities list

• All Grade Levels: APS Advanced Academics & Talent Development webpage
• Contacts
  • Cheryl McCullough, Director
  • Katie Madigan, K-12 Supervisor
  • Amanda Dempsey, K-12 Specialist

• Virginia Department of Education: Gifted Education
• 2e Newsletter
• Center for Creative Learning
• National Association for Gifted Children
• Northern Virginia Writing Project
• Summer Program for High School Students at Georgetown University
• University of VA Summer Enrichment Program
• William and Mary College Focusing on the Future
• Virginia Association for Gifted Children