Gifted students at the middle school level may choose to apply to the full-time gifted program at Kemps Landing Magnet School, to a pull-out program for dance and/or visual arts, or to remain in their neighborhood school and receive services via the resource-cluster program.
The resource-cluster program is available in all VBCPS middle schools and promotes optimum understanding of the needs of gifted learners for all school staff without creating an isolated learning environment. Gifted students interact with their teachers and classmates in a heterogeneous grouping while benefiting from the modification of content, process, product, and learning environment. Students have the opportunity to take advanced classes in English, science, and mathematics, and may begin a foreign language. The pace in these classes is rapid and students explore the subjects in greater depth and with additional intensity. Selection of these courses in middle school allows students the opportunity to take advanced classes in high school, whether as part of advanced placement curricula or at one of the high school academy programs.
Kemps Landing Magnet School (KLMS)
Kemps Landing is a full-time school for academically gifted students in grades six through eight. KLMS aims to provide a safe, nurturing environment in which open communication and a challenging, differentiated curriculum will prepare gifted students to be lifelong learners committed to excellence. Students must apply to Kemps Landing and meet the criteria for gifted identification in VBCPS in order to attend.
KLMS requires all students entering the sixth grade to take Latin. Seventh and eighth graders have the opportunity of continuing with Latin or changing to another language. In addition to these language credits, all students receive credit toward graduation for Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry and Earth Science upon successful completion of these courses. Because a foreign language is required of all students at KLMS, an extended day allows participation in an exploratory program. Classes such as chorus, orchestra, band, drama, computers, oral/written communication and other specialized courses are offered. Opportunities exist for students to explore topics or subjects of specific interest through distance learning. Extracurricular activities include options such as Future Problem Solving, Destination Imagination, forensics, debate, Academic Challenge, SCA and other clubs in which students have special interests. The school does not offer a competitive sports program.
Gifted Dance Education Program
The Gifted Dance Education Program is a pull-out model for identified students in grades three through eight and is housed at Old Donation Center. Admission into the program is determined through an application process.
Dance students are presented a comprehensive curriculum which emphasizes the areas of concepts and skill development, dance history and appreciation and creativity.
Gifted Visual Arts Program
All sixth through eighth grade students identified as gifted in visual arts and wish to participate in the Gifted Visual Arts Program attend Virginia Beach Middle School as a full-time student. In grades six through eight, the Gifted Visual Arts Program is embedded within the middle school daily schedule. Gifted Visual Arts Program student schedules incorporate a zero bell to provide time for visual arts and another elective during the course of the student’s middle school day. Sixth and seventh graders have health and physical education scheduled during the zero bell; eighth graders have art studio. Transportation to Virginia Beach Middle School is provided for all students attending the Gifted Visual Arts Program.
