Rappahannock County Public Schools (RCPS) is committed to identifying and supporting students with advanced academic and creative potential through services aligned with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students and the RCPS Local Plan for the Education of the Gifted (2023–2028).
This resource page is designed to help families better understand gifted identification, available services, instructional supports, and opportunities for collaboration with school staff.
Under Virginia regulations (8VAC20-40), all school divisions are required to:
Maintain a VDOE-approved Local Plan for Gifted Education
Use multiple criteria to identify gifted learners
Provide appropriate instructional services during the school day
Review program effectiveness and support ongoing staff development
The RCPS Local Plan outlines how students are identified and served in both General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).
Students identified in GIA demonstrate advanced reasoning, intellectual curiosity, rapid learning, and strong problem-solving abilities across academic disciplines.
Students demonstrate advanced creative reasoning, artistic curiosity, and exceptional skill development in visual arts.
Students demonstrate advanced imaginative expression, creative reasoning, and performance or production potential.
All Grade 2 students participate in universal screening using the NNAT3 assessment.
Identified GIA students are strategically grouped within classroom settings to support differentiated instruction in core academic areas.
Gifted learners may participate in specialized instruction and problem-based learning opportunities with the Gifted Education Specialist.
Students identified in Visual Arts or Theatre also receive specialized enrichment opportunities appropriate to their area of strength.
Students may access:
Honors coursework
Dual Enrollment opportunities through Laurel Ridge Community College
Virtual Virginia courses
Mountain Vista Governor’s School (MVGS)
Summer Residential Governor’s School programs
Independent Study
Advanced Visual and Performing Arts support and portfolio development
The RCPS Local Plan emphasizes instructional practices that provide challenge, depth, complexity, and opportunities for advanced learning.
Examples of differentiation strategies include:
Students who demonstrate mastery of content may move more quickly through material in order to engage in advanced or enriched learning experiences.
Assignments may be adjusted in complexity and depth based on a student’s readiness and demonstrated understanding.
Students engage in open-ended questioning, research, discovery, and real-world problem solving.
Students work collaboratively to solve authentic, multi-step challenges that integrate critical thinking and creativity.
Gifted learners often benefit from instructional approaches that emphasize conceptual understanding in addition to procedural fluency.
Examples of instructional supports may include:
Visual models for abstract concepts
Error analysis and mathematical reasoning tasks
Concept maps and problem-solving frameworks
Student-created problems and applications
Opportunities for deeper exploration and independent inquiry
These strategies help students build flexible thinking skills and deeper conceptual understanding.
Families play an important role in supporting gifted learners. RCPS encourages ongoing communication between parents, teachers, school counselors, administrators, and the Gifted Education Specialist.
Parents may request meetings to:
Review student progress and instructional supports
Discuss differentiation strategies
Explore advanced coursework options
Address questions regarding gifted services
Collaborate on student learning needs
If changes to services are needed, families may contact the Gifted Education Specialist to begin a collaborative review process.
Cecilia Falk, M.Ed.
Gifted Education Services Coordinator
cfalk@rappahannockschools.us
RCPS Central Office
6 Schoolhouse Road
Washington, VA 22747
540-227-0200
RCPS is committed to providing meaningful educational opportunities that support students’ academic, creative, and personal growth. Through collaboration among families, educators, and the community, gifted learners are encouraged to develop their strengths, pursue their interests, and reach their full potential.