Seeking info: gifted program in LCPS

[Anonymous]

We're considering a move to Loudoun county from out of state, and one thing we're curious about is how the gifted program works here. DC is currently in a full-day pull-out program at our local elementary school. They are performing 2-3 grades ahead in math and also excelling in ELA and other subjects.

Could anyone fill us in on what the gifted program offers here? From what I read, I don't think LCPS has full-time pull-out programs, but what about math acceleration in elementary and middle schools?

Any insights or advice would be super helpful. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Lots of acceleration in middle school, with 6th grade algebra a possibility. I know of one student that took algebra in 4th grade, but in 6th grade was again taking algebra.

Not much acceleration in elementary.
I think they've changed the Futura program. but it used to be one day a week, with most students bused to another elementary, Creighton's Corner & Selden's Landing were two of the schools.

[Anonymous]

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of acceleration in middle school, with 6th grade algebra a possibility. I know of one student that took algebra in 4th grade, but in 6th grade was again taking algebra.

Not much acceleration in elementary.
I think they've changed the Futura program. but it used to be one day a week, with most students bused to another elementary, Creighton's Corner & Selden's Landing were two of the schools.

Thank you so much, very helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL

OP here: wonder what is so funny

[Anonymous]

Read here about FUSION, which is the new version of the FUTURA program. This is for 4th and 5th grade.

https://www.lcps.org/Page/211705

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of acceleration in middle school, with 6th grade algebra a possibility. I know of one student that took algebra in 4th grade, but in 6th grade was again taking algebra.

Not much acceleration in elementary.
I think they've changed the Futura program. but it used to be one day a week, with most students bused to another elementary, Creighton's Corner & Selden's Landing were two of the schools.

Is there a district policy for 6th grade algebra or is it up to principal discretion?

[Anonymous]

They get tested with CoGat in 3rd grade for FUSION. My kids went through FUTURA (the old FUSION) so can't really help much there but they loved FUTURA and it was the highlight of their days.

In middle school the FUTURA/FUSION kids are put into Spectrum, which replaces their resource in 6th and 7th and half their resource in 8th. My kids really enjoy it and have so much fun. Things they've done in the past as examples:

- Created survey on drink preferences and created their own flavored drinks based on it
- Designed a country and created artifacts and a language for their country
- Went on a field trip to see a Shakespeare play in DC
- Participate in various language arts, math, and history academic competitions
- Solve fake crimes and mysteries
- Play a bunch of strategy board games

Even if your kid isn't in Spectrum, there are plenty of honors classes, courses for high school credit, and advanced math courses.

In high school, there are various programs your child can apply for but there is no official gifted program for high school.

Most apply to the Academies, which is a school like TJ with Science, Engineering, and Technology pathways offering advanced courses. Students take these every A day (or B day) and spend the other day at their home school (losing study hall and one elective, but this can be remedied by taking PE over the summer.)

Other options are TJ, and the new HAMSCI and IB programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of acceleration in middle school, with 6th grade algebra a possibility. I know of one student that took algebra in 4th grade, but in 6th grade was again taking algebra.

Not much acceleration in elementary.
I think they've changed the Futura program. but it used to be one day a week, with most students bused to another elementary, Creighton's Corner & Selden's Landing were two of the schools.

Is there a district policy for 6th grade algebra or is it up to principal discretion?

Both of my kids were recommended to test into pre-algebra. Neither passed, so they were put into the next lower that the majority of smart kids go into (Foundations.) Then they both got recommended to skip pre and go straight into algebra in 7th, geometry in 8th, and so on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of acceleration in middle school, with 6th grade algebra a possibility. I know of one student that took algebra in 4th grade, but in 6th grade was again taking algebra.

Not much acceleration in elementary.
I think they've changed the Futura program. but it used to be one day a week, with most students bused to another elementary, Creighton's Corner & Selden's Landing were two of the schools.

Is there a district policy for 6th grade algebra or is it up to principal discretion?

Principal has some discretion, particularly with appeals, and maybe summer classes.
District has policy of testing 5th graders for 6th grade prealgebra. This used to be testing to get into algebra, but was changed when VMPI was proposed. High scorers are given option of taking algebra in 6th grade. I've heard conflicting accounts. either directly given option or given option to take additional tests like IAAT to get into 6th grade algebra.
6th graders who don't get into prealgebra can still bypass prealgebra, and many schools have >50% taking algebra in 7th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They get tested with CoGat in 3rd grade for FUSION. My kids went through FUTURA (the old FUSION) so can't really help much there but they loved FUTURA and it was the highlight of their days.

In middle school the FUTURA/FUSION kids are put into Spectrum, which replaces their resource in 6th and 7th and half their resource in 8th. My kids really enjoy it and have so much fun. Things they've done in the past as examples:

- Created survey on drink preferences and created their own flavored drinks based on it
- Designed a country and created artifacts and a language for their country
- Went on a field trip to see a Shakespeare play in DC
- Participate in various language arts, math, and history academic competitions
- Solve fake crimes and mysteries
- Play a bunch of strategy board games

Even if your kid isn't in Spectrum, there are plenty of honors classes, courses for high school credit, and advanced math courses.

In high school, there are various programs your child can apply for but there is no official gifted program for high school.

Most apply to the Academies, which is a school like TJ with Science, Engineering, and Technology pathways offering advanced courses. Students take these every A day (or B day) and spend the other day at their home school (losing study hall and one elective, but this can be remedied by taking PE over the summer.)

Other options are TJ, and the new HAMSCI and IB programs.

Great info! Thank you so much!