Gifted Services

How are students found eligible for Gifted Services?

Please watch THIS video on Eligibility 2024

Please watch this video on Gifted Services for 2024

Students attending an LCPS school during their third grade year will go through the gifted eligibility process. The eligibility process is holistic in order to get the best picture of student needs. In order to assess eligibility, CogAT scores, current MAP scores, and a portfolio of work samples are carefully examined by a non-biased committee of gifted professionals. All third grade families with students who go through the eligibility process will be notified of their eligibility status before the end of their third grade year.

After the third grade, students can be evaluated (if they are new to the county) or reevaluated (if they were evaluated in the 3rd grade) once a year. Reevaluation happens by request during either the fall or spring reevaluation window. For instance, if your child was evaluated in the spring of third grade, they can be reevaluated (by request) during the spring eligibility window of their fourth grade year.

If you are interested in having your third, fourth, or fifth grade student evaluated because you are new to the county, please reach out to one of Arcola’s Gifted Resource Teachers.

 If your child is in the fourth or fifth grade and you wish to have them reevaluated for services, please reply to the email, sent by the LCPS gifted department, during the fall or spring reevaluation window.

THE DCI PROGRAM

What is DCI?

Differentiated Classroom Instruction (DCI) is a program which provides students with high academic challenge, enrichment, and rigor in their identified area of need. Students begin participating in the DCI program as early as fourth grade. 

Students in the DCI program receive weekly enrichment in areas for which they have been found eligible. Students can be found eligible for services in: Language Arts (ELA) only, Math only, OR Language Arts (ELA) AND Math 

What does DCI look like at Arcola? 

Gifted resource teachers and general education (homeroom) teachers collaborate to meet the needs of gifted learners. Students receive weekly enrichment in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math in small groups with their like-minded, gifted identified peers in the gifted resource classroom. 

Students who are found eligible for DCI services in fourth grade will automatically receive the same services in fifth grade. 

In middle school, DCI students' needs are met through appropriate leveled core classes, which might include accelerated math or honors English. Determination for placement in middle school will be recommended by homeroom teachers in the spring of students 5th grade year. 

DCI students are NOT placed in SPECTRUM (the middle school equivalent of FUSION, which replaces resource block) without being reevaluated and being found eligible for the program.

THE FUSION PROGRAM

What does FUSION look like at Arcola? 

FUSION is a school-based program for students who have been found eligible for gifted services. Students participate in math, Language Arts, and Leadership/Innovation enrichment in their home schools. Gifted resource teachers and general education (homeroom) teachers collaborate to meet the needs of gifted learners. Students receive weekly enrichment in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math in small groups with their like-minded, gifted identified peers in the gifted resource classroom. Students also meet weekly with their gifted peers for two hours to collaborate on a variety of challenging, interdisciplinary projects themed around the topics of innovation and Leadership. 

Students who are found eligible for services in the fourth grade will automatically receive services in the fifth grade. 

Students in the FUSION program are automatically enrolled in the SPECTRUM program in middle school. SPECTRUM replaces study hall as an elective.

Loudoun County Public Schools phased out the FUTURA program and implemented the FUSION program for 4th and 5th grade gifted identified students. 2024-2025 is the 5th year of the program at Arcola Elementary School.