Accokeek Academy TAG

🌟 Welcome to the TAG Center at Accokeek Academy!

Where Curiosity Meets Challenge, Creativity, and Excellence!

Welcome to the Talent and Gifted (TAG) Center at Accokeek Academy! Our TAG program is dedicated to nurturing the unique talents, strengths, and potential of gifted learners. We provide engaging, challenging, and meaningful learning experiences that encourage students to think deeply, explore their interests, solve problems creatively, and become confident, independent learners.

We are excited to partner with our students, families, and teachers to challenge minds, inspire curiosity, and cultivate excellence!

PGCPS Tag Website

Accokeek Academy strives to foster a dynamic and stimulating environment that promotes high expectations for every student's success. By implementing best practices for talented and gifted students, arts integration, and dual language programs, we aim to nurture each child's unique abilities. We believe every student possesses individual gifts and the potential to excel. Our school is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing atmosphere where all students can thrive and grow.

EGATE (Excellence in Gifted And Talented Education) Award Recipient

2012

2019

2024

Lower Campus

Mrs. Dockett-Giles

Mrs. Fernandez- RELA & Social Studies

Ms. Jordan- Math & Science

Ms. Alexander-RELA & Social Stuides

Mr. Francis- Math & Science

Mr. Geary- RELA & Social Studies

Mr. Goforth- Math & Science

Upper Campus

Dr. Bacon, Math

Mr. Chester-Inniss

Ms. Crawley - Spanish

Mrs. Perez- Spanish

Mrs. Charleston- RELA

Ms. C. Taylor -Science

Mr. Bennett- RELA

Vacancy - Math

Mrs. Perez -Spanish

Ms. Peters-World Culture

Ms. Williams - Science

Ms. Asomani, RELA

Ms. Crawley, Spanish

Ms. Fleet, Science

Mrs. Njoke, US History

Mr. Odenz, Mathematics

TAG Coordinators

TAG Coordinator- Lower Campus

Ms. Forbes

301-203-3200

TAG Coordinator- Upper Campus

Ms. Ford-Benn

email: Carlescia.Benn@pgcps.org

301-203-3200

International Culture and Language Program (ICAL)

International Culture and Language (ICAL) for Grades 2 - 5 is taught to all Talented and Gifted (TAG) students and some comprehensive students at the TAG centers. Each ICAL unit consists of approximately 15 lessons introducing students to learn basic vocabulary to be used in short conversations and relevant geographical and cultural information.

Program Focus

During each quarter, the students at the elementary level will focus on enhancing their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The World Language Department uses the World Language National Standards (ACTFL) and the College and Career Readiness Standards. The teachers will incorporate the five C’s in their classes. The five C’s are Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. The learners will use the three modes of communication: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational. Listening will be reinforced using a listening center, kinesthetic activities, games, songs, and technology integration. Speaking will be assessed using oral presentations, dialogues, and various forms of digital media. The learners will use Performance-Based Assessments to assess all of the standards.

Units of Study by Grade Level

2nd Grade - Japanese ICAL, French ICAL

3rd Grade - Chinese ICAL, Italian ICAL

4th Grade - Spanish ICAL, Russian ICAL

5th Grade - Spanish, French, Japanese ICAL

Welcome to the AA TAG Parent Corner!

This page includes a variety of helpful resources—such as websites, newsletters, books, and more—that may be of interest to parents.

AA Nurturing Your Gifted Child Final

Welcome Back Parent Newsletter

TAG Parent Tips: A Must-Read for Parents of Gifted Kids

Looking to better understand and support your gifted child? We highly recommend Parenting Gifted Children 101: An Introduction to Gifted Kids and Their Needs. This reader-friendly book is a great starting point for parents who want to learn more about the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of gifted learners.

Inside, you’ll find helpful insights on:

Gifted characteristics – What makes a gifted child unique, and how to recognize their abilities.
Common myths – Busting misconceptions that can get in the way of understanding your child.
School partnerships – Tips for working effectively with teachers and administrators to support learning.
Advocacy – How to ensure your child’s needs are met in and out of the classroom.
Social-emotional needs – Guidance on nurturing confidence, managing perfectionism, and helping your child thrive emotionally.

This book is an excellent choice for parents who want practical advice, real-world examples, and expert guidance to help their child reach their full potential. Whether you’re new to gifted education or looking for fresh insights, Parenting Gifted Children 101 is a resource you won’t want to miss!

Elementary- Grades K-5

TAG Identification Process

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Screening Information

PGCPS students will participate in a universal screening process for talented and gifted identification in Grade 1 and 4.
New registrants to PGCPS in grades 2, 3 and 5 will be tested.
Parents and Teachers may nominate students for TAG screening by January 15th.
Test data is valid for 2 years and TAG Coordinators can screen students using valid assessment data. Students with valid test data will not be retested.
TAG identification is a multiple criteria process including cognitive ability test data, achievement data, teacher checklist of gifted characteristics, and report card grades.
Parents/guardians may apply to the TAG Center Program via lottery DURING the screening process. Students MUST be TAG identified in order to receive placement into the TAG Center Program.
Test scores will be sent home from the school.
Please do not request test data from the TAG Office.
School-based TAG Coordinators will screen every student who scores 81 percentile or higher on the cognitive ability assessment.

SY 2025-2026 Testing/Screening Timeline

Grade 1 - All 1st graders will be tested in October/November using the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) Booklet.
Grade 2 - All new 2nd grade PGCPS registrants will be tested in December using the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) Booklet.
Grade 3 - All new 3rd grade PGCPS registrants will be tested in December using the Otis Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) Booklet.
Grade 4 - All 4th graders who are not already TAG identified will be tested in December using the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) online assessment.
Grade 5 - All new 5th grade PGCPS registrants will be tested in December using the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) online assessment.
Once results for identification are received, parents/students will be notified by the TAG Co-ordinator in a letter stating whether or not the student met the criteria for services. If the student meets the criteria, it is for placement the following school year.

Middle School- Grades 6-8

TAG Identification Procedures

Parents who wish to have their scholar screened for TAG identification should follow the directions below. The steps in the screening process are as follows:

The current window to request screening is: Forthcoming
Parent/Student requests screening by sending an email to:
- - - TAG Coordinator
    - Subject Line: TAG Screening Request SY 2026
    - Body of email: I am (name), parent of (student name). I am contacting you to ask if (student name) could be screened for potential TAG identification.
TAG Coordinator begins the paperwork using available data.
Students scoring at the 89th percentile and above on both standardized achievement tests are in the qualifying range for TAG identification.
Teachers will be asked to complete a Teacher Checklist after 4-6 weeks of observation of the students in their classrooms.
Quarter-one grades will be acquired and used per policy/procedure.
A TAG/SIT Committee meeting will determine whether the student is a viable candidate for testing.
If the committee deems it appropriate, the coordinator will request the necessary tests from the TAG Office.
The test will be administered to viable candidates and returned for evaluation.
Upon receipt of the test results, the coordinator will complete any necessary additional paperwork and submit it to the TAG Office for final approval.
Once results for identification are received, parents/students will be notified by the coordinator in a letter via USPS mail stating whether or not the student met the criteria for services. If the student meets the criteria, it is for placement in the following school year.

Any questions regarding this process should be directed to:

Accokeek Academy-TAG Coordinator:

1400 Berry Road

Accokeek, MD 20607

Note: The screening process includes first-quarter grades and will begin after those grades are released. The deadline for requesting screening is January 15th. A final notification will be sent via letter indicating TAG identification status for possible entrance into the TAG program the following school year. If you have any questions, please refer to the email address above.

Administrative Procedure-6142.2 TAG Identification Procedures.pdf

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