Gifted Education and Talent Development
The definition of gifted used in PWCS is based on Virginia Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students. Students who are found eligible for gifted education services demonstrate high levels of academic accomplishment or show exceptional academic potential beyond their age peers of similar experience or environment in general intellectual aptitude or in one or more specific academic areas.
Gifted Education and Talent Development Program
Gifted students need advanced and complex content that is paced and sequenced to respond to their intellectual curiosity, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and rapid acquisition and mastery of information. The Gifted Education and Talent Development program offers resource services from kindergarten through 12th grade for students whose learning needs cannot be entirely met in the general education classroom setting. Minutes and frequency of services vary depending on the grade level. Differentiated classroom services are also provided through collaboration between classroom teachers and the gifted resource teacher.
URHS Contact:
Nathan Craddock
[email protected]
Room 2061
703-365-2900
Gifted Identification process
Identification Process
The identification process is ongoing throughout the school year. A student may be referred at any time by a parent, professional, divisionwide screening tool, or self-referral. PWCS uses a multi-criteria approach to identification. Balanced consideration is given to many factors, including aptitude test scores, academic achievement, parent and professional reports, and student work samples. No single criterion is used to determine a student’s eligibility. The gifted identification process begins with the completion of a referral form, available on the Gifted Education website or at your child’s school.
If you are a parent, teacher, school staff member, or a community member, you may refer a student whom you believe is Gifted. Attached below is ID information and a referral form for the identification process. Also attached is a permission for evaluation form, which includes permission for intellectual aptitude testing. A parent or legal guardian must fill out this form. Forms can be returned to me, Mr. Craddock, in room 2061 or mailed to the school. For more information, the Prince William County Public Schools' gifted education referral information page is linked. Please feel free to ask me any questions.
Documents
- Fillable Referral Form (PDF)
- Spanish Gifted Brochure (PDF)
- Referral Form (Spanish) (PDF)
Summer Residential and Year-Round Governor’s Schools
Applications for Summer Residential Governor’s Schools close on December 19. If you are interested, see Mr. Craddock as soon as possible. Email: [email protected]
The year-round Governor's School at Innovation Park application process is due February 1, 2026.
Follow the Governor’s School Information link to the left for more information. Instructions for applying to Innovation Park are listed at the top of the school webpage.
Explore the PWCS Gifted Education and Talent Development Site for more information including Summer Residential Governor's Schools