Advanced Academics and Talent Development

Welcome to Advanced Academics and Talent Development at Washington Liberty High School!

Arlington Public Schools is dedicated to maximizing the strengths and potential of all students so they may become self-confident, well-rounded, responsible and productive citizens. Many gifted students need opportunities to think abstractly, work at various rates and levels of complexity, and pursue tasks independently. In addition, students eligible for gifted services need opportunities to learn with others of like abilities, as well as opportunities to develop social relationships with others of all abilities. Check out the helpful links on the APS Advanced Academics and Talent Development website.

The Advanced Academics Information Meeting will be held October 7, 2024 at 7:00pm -8:00pm in the W-L Cafeteria. We will begin with a student panel sharing opportunities provided in our community, at the state level, and beyond. I will go over my role as the advanced academics coach here at Washington Liberty High school and how we collaborate and integrate Visible Thinking Routines, creative and critical thinking in our classes. Spanish, Amharic, and Arabic translations provided.

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W-L Advanced Academics Information Updates will be sent out through Parent Square to parents.

I am the Advanced Academics Coach here, Elizabeth Burgos. Please contact me 703-228-8657 or via email: elizabeth.burgos@apsva.us

Referrals

Students are screened annually and referrals can be made by parents, students, staff and community members. Referrals should be submitted before April 1 of the school year. Here is a link to the referral form. Gifted services eligibility process identifies students in the following areas:

Specific Academic Aptitude – students with specific aptitudes in the academic areas of mathematics, science, English, social studies.
Visual/Performing Arts Aptitude in grades 3-12 – Students with specific aptitudes in visual art and/or instrumental or vocal music areas.

State Enrichment Programs

State Programs

Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS)

For general information on the VDOE Website about all programs, go to this link: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/governor-s-schools/summer-residential-governor-s-schools

Summer Residential Visual and Performing Arts Governor’s School

First three pages are due early November to Advanced Academics Coach, print out the application with signatures and submit to room 2103 in the back of the library. Auditions will follow at Kenmore Middle School mid November for Theater and Visual Arts, Vocal and Instrumental Music after school. Students need to audition to be considered for the program.

Summer Residential Academic Governor’s School

Turn in completed applications by second week January to Ms. Burgos in the back of the library room 2103

Students may apply in the following areas:

Agriculture
Humanities
Math, Science, and Technology
Medicine, and Health Sciences
Engineering
Marine Science

Click here if interested in applying to the Summer Residential Governor’s School CANVAS COURSE. Students who are interested in applying to the academic or mentorship programs should read thoroughly the Student & Parent Guide and applications for the program of interest.Students will need to write a resume of relevant extracurricular activities, write an essay, and obtain 2 teacher recommendations. Please email elizabeth.burgos@apsva.us for further questions.

Programs at Virginia Tech Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity

CEED Pre-College Programs Pathways for Future Engineers

County Programs

PRIME Summer Mentorship

PRIME is an internship/mentorship program for gifted 10th and 11th graders. Internships are offered during the summer through an application process. PRIME is designed to provide students with an opportunity to be placed as interns in professional organizations that relate to their field of interest. The PRIME Summer Program provides internships during the month of July for a limited number of Arlington Public School students. Students must be sixteen years of age and provide their own transportation to and from the business and the Arlington Career Center. Students must be available the entire month of July to participate in the program. For more information on the summer program, please visit the Career Center web page, careercenter.apsva.us/prime. Application and timeline are on the web page. Please email primeprogram@apsva.us or contact: Arlington Career Center

Fine Arts Apprentice Program

The Fine Arts Apprentice Program provides students who have demonstrated achievement in and commitment to the Fine Arts (drama, instrumental and vocal music, dance, and visual arts) with enrichment opportunities throughout the school year. All Arlington Public Schools students who will be in grades 10, 11, or 12 in September are welcome to apply. Applications for the school year will be available in January. Applications and auditions are held during the early spring for the following school year. Students receive a half credit for their participation and completion of the requirements in the program. Application and audition information are available on the Arts Education website.For more information, please contact Kelly Breedlove, the coordinator, at (703) 228-6171 or email kelly.breedlove@apsva.us.

Parent and Student Resources

Parent & Student Resources:

National Association for the Gifted website: https://www.nagc.org/
Virginia Association for the Gifted website: https://www.vagifted.org/
College of William and Mary Gifted Education Resources: https://education.wm.edu/centers/cfge/resources
Black Excel at blackexel.org https://www.blackexcel.org/summer-progs.htm

Advanced Academics Coach

Elizabeth Fucella Burgos

Teacher

elizabeth.burgos@apsva.us

I am bilingual in Spanish and began teaching in Washington D.C. I have taught overseas and spent most of my career in Arlington Public schools. I have two daughters graduates of Washington Liberty H.S. and IB Diploma recipients. I graduated high school from Seoul American in Korea. Received B.A. - College of William and Mary, M.A.- University of New Mexico. Awarded Gifted Teacher of the Year Virginia Association of the Gifted, Served as a Fulbright Distinguished Teacher in Colombia, South America, and as a USIP Peace Teacher .