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Henrico County Public Schools

Gifted Programs Frequently Asked Questions

Gifted Programs Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions

  • Our Gifted Programs webpage contains information about the gifted identification process and programming. ParentSquare messaging is used to communicate program-specific opportunities.

  • Parents and guardians are encouraged and welcome to join HCPS' Gifted Education Advisory Council. The GEAC group meets throughout the school year to review the Local Plan for the Education of the Gifted. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit the Gifted Programs webpage.

Elementary School Gifted Resource Service Model

What do elementary gifted student services look like?

Classroom: To the extent possible, elementary students are grouped in clusters in the year following their gifted identification. Students receive differentiated instruction provided by their classroom teacher and supported through resource services from the Gifted Resource Teacher (GRT) assigned to their school. GRT's also conduct whole-class response lessons in all K-2 classrooms to provide opportunities for all students to think critically and creatively while ensuring that a level of enrichment service is offered to each student.

Instruction with gifted resource teachers: GRT's are itinerant teachers serving and supporting two or three elementary schools each week. These teachers provide enrichment units at K-2, and instruction specific to a student's area of identification at 3-5. Services are designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of each school; this may include small groups working with the GRT outside the classroom (pull-out) or the teacher working alongside students right in the classroom (push-in).

Gifted services

Students identified as gifted receive services from a Gifted Resource Teacher (GRT), who also collaborates with classroom teachers to differentiate grade-level curriculum for gifted and high potential learners. Services may include pull-out enrichment, whole class response lessons, push-in support, co-teaching, and consultation, and vary by grade level and area of identification. In grades 4 and 5, gifted services remain flexible to support a cluster grouping model customized to each school, with ongoing professional development for cluster teachers to meet the needs of diverse gifted and high potential students.

Fourth and fifth grade school- and zone-based center classrooms: Fourth and fifth grade students who have been identified in both English/language arts and mathematics may participate in either a school-based center class or in a zone-based center class. To locate the centers, click this link. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Elementary Schools

  • The elementary enrichment program provides opportunities for students to expand: critical and creative thinking; problem-solving; inquiry and research; communication; collaborative leadership; global citizenship; and self-awareness. (Henrico County Gifted Resource Goals)

  • Progress reports will be sent home each semester. Attendance, participation and work completion are expected for students in the gifted program.

  • Elementary gifted resource teachers send monthly communication home. You may reach out to your student’s gifted resource teacher through email or phone if you have questions.

  • Please consult with your student’s teacher about which resources may be most beneficial for your student.

  • During fall of the fifth grade year, your student will have opportunities to:

    • Apply for the Gifted Young Scholars Academy program, a full-time middle school gifted program for students who have been identified as gifted in both language arts and mathematics by the end of fourth grade.

    • Apply for a Middle Years International Baccalaureate program, a grade 6-8 full-time program (gifted identification is not a requirement).

    • Apply for the Center for Innovation, a grade 6-8 full-time program (gifted identification is not a requirement).

    • Enroll in the sixth grade gifted enrichment course offered at all HCPS middle schools if your student is identified in English/language arts, mathematics or both areas (with the option to register for additional seventh and eighth grade elective gifted enrichment courses). Registration takes place in the spring of fifth grade.

    If you have questions about these options, please contact your school counselor or gifted resource teacher.

    Gifted students attending the Henrico Virtual Academy are eligible to apply for these programs.

  • Yes, a gifted resource teacher will provide gifted resource services for students at HVA.

  • The referral window for students in grades K-12 opens each fall. The Gifted Programs Department will post the current school year gifted identification process timeline on the HCPS Gifted Programs webpage in mid-September. Schools will communicate the exact referral window dates as well as dates for parent information sessions in mid-September.

  • Once your student is reenrolled and attending an HCPS school, the previous HCPS gifted identification designation will be honored. Be sure to notify the registrar of your student’s previous gifted identification with HCPS when registering and completing enrollment paperwork.

Middle and High School Service Model

What do gifted services look like at the middle school level?

Gifted services at the middle school level are offered as an elective class taught by a Gifted Resource Teacher.

  • Sixth grade: Academic enrichment/TAG  (required)

  • Seventh grade: Academic enrichment/TAG offered (optional)

  • Eighth Grade: 21st century inquiry and leadership TAG offered for high school credit (optional)

What opportunities are available for high school students?

HCPS offers a wide range of programs for secondary students.

  • High school students may consult with a secondary gifted lead teacher on request. 

  • Students may contact HCPS Gifted Programs at hcpsgifted@henrico.k12.va.us.

Frequently Asked Questions: Middle and High Schools

  • Through independent and collaborative experiences, the program focuses on the Henrico County Gifted Resource Goals.

  • Emails or phone calls are a great way to communicate with your student's gifted resource teacher.

  • Students identified in English/language arts and/or mathematics may participate in advanced coursework and extracurricular clubs. Other opportunities include accelerated and advanced courses, world language courses and an opportunity to apply for the Summer Regional Governor’s School (rising 7th through 9th grade) or Summer Residential Governor’s School programs (rising 11th and 12th grade) If you have further questions about these program options, contact your school’s gifted resource teacher, school counselor, or hcpsgifted@henrico.k12.va.us.

  • During fall of eighth grade, your student will have an option to apply for HCPS' high school Specialty Centers, Code RVA, and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School (see Regional Programs Page). A gifted identification is not necessary for participation in these programs. Program representatives make presentations to eighth graders, usually early in the fall, that includes program and application information, a timeline of the application process and due dates. School counselors at middle schools publicize and provide access to these presentations for students. In addition to the above programs, all HCPS students have access to advanced coursework at each HCPS high school.

  • The referral window for students in grades K-12 opens each fall. The Gifted Programs Department will post the current school year gifted identification process timeline on the HCPS Gifted Programs webpage in the fall.