Washington County Public Schools offers a spectrum of special focus programs for advanced-level learners, aligning with Maryland's Continuum of Services in Gifted and Talented Education.  These programs are an integral component of WCPS initiatives to provide challenging academic experiences for the diverse student population across the county.  For a details about the variety of programs at elementary, middle, and high school programs, click on each level in the dropdown menu or use the buttons below.

Advanced Programs include the following:

• AP (Advanced Placement) - available to all students in every high school, course availability varies in each building, students can earn college credit with performance on the AP Exam, successful students meet some prerequisite criteria, such as specific reading level and/or coursework.   Click for College Board website

• AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) - requires application, 4-year college readiness elective course series that is only offered in a few high schools.   Click for  AVID website

• Early Talent Development (ETD) - instruction for all students in Pre-K through 2 classrooms, designed to foster gifted learning behaviors

• Elementary GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) - available in all elementary schools, eligible students are identified by the Office of Advanced Programs for services starting in first grade   NOTE: Ability scores are required 

• Honors - high school classes designed to prepare students for AP coursework, ability and/or performance measures are utilized for placement

• IB (International Baccalaureate) Classes - available to all students who live in the attendance zone for North Hagerstown High School,  the Magnet IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is also available to all students through a competitive application process 

• Merit - all students are reviewed for appropriate placement in these competitive middle school classes