Advanced Programs in Elementary Schools

Our magnet application process evaluates each student using multiple indicators of potential, resulting in a composite score.  This scores is based on: ability assessments, various performance data, a task with interview.  Additionally, the Gifted Behavior Survey is completed collaboratively by the student's current GATE and classroom teachers to provide insight into the observed behaviors--report card grades are not considered.  

The holistic approach aligns with established best practices in gifted identification, which emphasize combining ability measure, performance metrics, and teacher evaluations rather than relying solely on grades or test scores.

The Office of Advanced Programs will notify families of their student's acceptance via U.S. Mail.  This multi-phase placement process takes time, as offers are released in several rounds.

• First round placement letters are typically mailed mid-February.
• Non-placement notification letters will follow all placement rounds in early-April.
• By the conclusion of the process, all families will have received either a placement letter or a non-placement letter.

Thank you for your patience as we work to complete every round.  If you have not received a notice by the dates above, please contact the Office of Advanced Programs.

The schools listed on your letter represent the programs to which your student has been accepted at this time  If a school is not listed, your student has not be admitted to that program during the current round, and there is no guarantee of placement there in a future round.  

You have two choices:

• Accept one of the placements listed on your letter.
• Decline and wait to see IF a placement at one of the other chosen programs becomes available in a later round.

Please note: Once you decline a placement, that seat will be offered to another student-so you will not be able to return to it later.

Yes! Students may apply to more than one magnet program but please note that a task with an interview must be completed at each school to which application has been made.  We encourage you to work as a family to narrow your student's choices.

WCPS does not provide transportation to magnet schools outside of a student's home attendance area.

• Magnet students who are accepted to a program do not need to apply for Special Permission.
• A request for Special Permission for siblings of Magnet Students will be considered on a case by case basis by the school principal; however, approval of a request is not guaranteed.
• More information about the Special Permission process can be found on the WCPS Website, including deadlines.

Most schools offer before- and/or after-care programs, but these are administered individually by each school and often have limited capacity.  We recommend that you contact your student's selected school directly to confirm available services and enrollment openings.

To learn more about interpreting your student’s strengths and weaknesses, access the CogAT™ Profile website at https://tinyurl.com/cogATprofilefinder and follow the directions to enter in the Ability Profile from above.

You can find a parent guide to the test, scores, as well as sample questions at https://tinyurl.com/cogATparentguide

Talk to your student about STRENGTHS, not scores!