Grades K-1 The gifted resource teacher collaborates with kindergarten and first grade teachers to provide lessons that stimulate and meet the needs of high ability students in their classrooms. Although students are not identified as intellectually gifted until the end of first grade, services from the gifted resource teacher help develop the talents and abilities of these students. Whole group instruction and/or flexible grouping strategies are incorporated into classrooms to provide higher level thinking experiences.
Grades 2-5 In grades 2-5, the resource-cluster model places a small group (cluster) of identified gifted students in a classroom with a cluster teacher. The gifted resource teacher and the cluster teacher collaborate to provide instructional activities and strategies designed to meet the needs of the gifted learner.
Gifted Elementary School The Brickell Academy at Old Donation School is a centralized, full-time gifted school serving identified students in grades two through eight. Admission is application based and requires that students meet the criteria for gifted identification in VBCPS. The curriculum includes all school district learning objectives, the Virginia Standards of Learning while expanding the curriculum specifically to meet the needs of the gifted learner. Specialized lessons and units include research and independent study as major components within each subject area.