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VBCPS features “The Art of Being a Military Child” exhibit at Lynnhaven Mall

Throughout April, the Month of the Military Child, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) student artwork will be featured at Lynnhaven Mall. Now in its 11th year, "The Art of Being a Military Child" showcases students' artistic interpretations of what it means to be a military dependent, including deployments, transitions, patriotism, family and school. It is the culmination of a contest open to all VBCPS students to which more than 700 art entries were submitted.

VBCPS features “The Art of Being a Military Child” exhibit at Lynnhaven Mall

Throughout April, the Month of the Military Child, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) student artwork will be featured at Lynnhaven Mall. Now in its 11th year, "The Art of Being a Military Child" showcases students' artistic interpretations of what it means to be a military dependent, including deployments, transitions, patriotism, family and school. It is the culmination of a contest open to all VBCPS students to which more than 700 art entries were submitted.

VB Technical & Career Education Center celebrating 50 years

The Virginia Beach Technical & Career Education Center (Tech Center, 2925 N Landing Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an open house reunion on Wednesday, March 29, from 6-8 p.m., for all students and staff both past and present. The Tech Center opened its doors in September 1972 to provide career-training opportunities for students in grades 11 and 12. Over the past 50 years, the Tech Center has maintained focus on career preparation and employability for its students and continues to evolve to meet the demands of the ever-changing workforce. Having served more than 40,000 students, the Tech Center currently has 682 students enrolled in programs for the 2022-23 school year.

Virginia Beach high schools to compete in interscholastic lacrosse for first time this spring

For the very first time, Virginia Beach high schools will be playing lacrosse interscholastically starting this spring. With the Beach District season recently underway, each high school is fielding a varsity boys and a varsity girls team. On Tuesday, March 28, Kempsville and Ocean Lakes will play in a girls/boys doubleheader at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex (2044 Landstown Centre Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.) The Beach District schedule for all VBCPS schools begins on April 4.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 13, 2023) – The City of Virginia Beach, in partnership with the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, will hold a series of community listening sessions between March 25 and April 3. Residents will have an opportunity to provide their input on the City’s election system and how they elect their representatives. Feedback will be captured by the event moderators and provided to City Council in a final report.

Two Virginia Beach schools recognized as national models for college and career readiness

Great Neck and Salem Middle schools in Virginia Beach have once again received distinction as AVID National Demonstration Schools. This elite designation has been awarded to only 200 of 8,000 AVID schools in the United States and around the world. AVID National Demonstration Schools exhibit a college and career readiness culture through rigor and high expectations for all students throughout the school.

Screening and Identification Process

First Grade Screening

Questions? Call (757) 263-6870All first grade VBCPS students are screened for gifted program services. Assessment specialists from the division’s Gifted Education Testing Office and the gifted resource teacher from your child’s school administer screening for all first graders in October

An application for gifted services and Old Donation School (ODS) will automatically be submitted for any first grade student scoring greater than or equal to the 90th percentile on the NNAT3 or any subtest of the CoGAT. The online application is located at giftedapplication.vbcps.com. All information is reviewed by the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Gifted Identification and Placement Committee to determine identification for gifted services.**

Fifth Grade Screening

All fifth grade VBCPS students are screened for gifted program services. Assessment specialists from the division’s Gifted Education Testing Office administer screening for fifth graders in September or October. The gifted resource teacher (GRT) will contact parents of students scoring in the 90th percentile or higher on the screening via phone, email or letter to discuss the next step in applying for gifted programs.**

** If your student does not score in the 90th percentile or higher and you wish to proceed with the testing and application process, they must first submit the online application by the deadline. A teacher, peer, student response team or any person who has knowledge of the student’s abilities may also initiate an application for gifted services testing by contacting the gifted resource teacher (GRT) at the student’s neighborhood school. Students may be tested for gifted programs one time within a school year. Once a completed application has been submitted, the student’s teacher of record is contacted to submit a Teacher Information Form for the student. All students referred for testing are reviewed by the Gifted Identification and Placement Committee. Parents/guardians with questions about intellectual gifted testing should call 757.263.6870.

Identification and Placement

Once a student has been tested, data is compiled and forwarded to an identification and placement committee that determines eligibility for gifted services. Eligibility for gifted services is determined through the review of multiple criteria, including:

  • Academic achievement
  • Achievement test scores
  • Teacher information
  • Ability test scores
  • Student interview responses (Grades 5-12)
  • 1st Grade Problem Based Task (PBT)

*Note: Parents/guardians are notified of the committee's decision by email.

Change in Program Placement

Students who are identified for gifted services retain their identification from the point of identification until graduation. Virginia Beach City Public Schools believes that students need learning experiences based on their readiness level, interest and learning profile. Parents/guardians may request that the students not take part in the gifted services that are offered. This is a school-level decision that is facilitated by the parents/guardians, teacher(s), principal and gifted resource teacher. When this occurs, parents/guardians write a letter requesting the change in service which is then placed in the student’s file. The student maintains eligibility for gifted services and can participate in activities offered by the gifted program. Gifted staff remain in contact with the student and parent/guardian.