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

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