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Application Process

Admission to Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ (VBCPS) Old Donation School, Gifted Dance Education Program or Gifted Visual Arts Program is determined through an application process. Application materials are reviewed by a selection committee and notification of decisions are sent to applicants in accordance with the timelines for each school/program.

Parents/Guardians of students currently enrolled in VBCPS must submit applications online through the school division’s Gifted Management Application System using their student's ID number and login credentials. Parents/Guardians of students not currently enrolled in VBCPS will download the non-VBCPS student application and submit a hard copy to their school counselors with time for completion of required teacher information forms by the application deadline.

Links to applications and timelines as well as more information about each school/program are provided below.

If you have questions about Old Donation School, the Gifted Dance Education Program or the Gifted Visual Arts Program, please email Dr. Kelly A. Hedrick, Old Donation School Principal, or call 757.648.3267. For technical assistance with the online application, VBCPS students should contact the Technology Support Technician (TST) at their schools.

Old Donation School

Old Donation School is a centralized, full-time, gifted school for intellectually gifted students in grades 2-8. Admission requires that students meet the criteria for gifted identification in VBCPS. Identified gifted students are referred to the selection committee for review. The curriculum includes all school district learning objectives, the Virginia Standards of Learning, expanding and extending the curriculum specifically to meet the needs of the gifted learner.

The application for students currently enrolled in grades 1-7 will be available in the fall. The application deadline for students in grades 2-7 is Jan. 10, 2020 at 4 p.m. The application deadline for students in grade 1 is Feb 10, 2020 at 4 p.m.

Old Donation School application for VBCPS students (grades 1-7)

Old Donation School application for non-VBCPS students

Gifted Application Timeline

Mid-September Program information is distributed to all students in grades 1-7 by Gifted Education Testing Office
September Online application available for VBCPS students in grades 1-7
Dec. 5, 2019 Parent Information Night for students in grades 5-7. Open House at 5:00 p.m. and presentation at 5:30 p.m. at Old Donation School
Jan. 7, 2020 Parent Information Night for elementary school students currently in grades 1-4. Open House at 5:00 p.m. and presentation at 5:30 p.m. at Old Donation School
Jan. 10, 2020 DEADLINE: Old Donation School Full-time Intellectual Program applications due by 4 p.m. for students currently in grades 2-7
Jan. 24, 2020 Testing of all Old Donation School applicants in grades 2-7 not currently enrolled in VBCPS; Laskin Road Annex at 8:30 a.m.
Feb. 10, 2020 DEADLINE: Old Donation School Full-time Intellectual Program applications due by 4 p.m. for students currently in grade 1
Mar. 4-6, 2020 Gifted Identification and Placement Committee meetings for grades 2-7
Mar. 11, 2020 Old Donation School Selection Committee meets to review applicants for placement in grades 6-8 for the 2020-2021 school year
Mar. 13, 2020 * Old Donation School selection decision letters for grades 6-8 emailed to parents/guardians
* Thank you for your patience with ODS selection notifications for middle school grades (6-8). Planning for school closures has set us back a bit. You can expect email notifications by Monday, March 16.
Mar. 20, 2020 Letters of Intent for grades 6-8 due to Old Donation School
Mar. 23, 2020 Deadline to appeal Gifted Identification and Placement Committee decisions of applicants not currently identified for gifted services in grades 2-7. Due by 4 p.m. to Gifted Office.
Mar. 27, 2020 Deadline to appeal Old Donation School Selection Committee decisions for grades 6-8. Due by 4:00 p.m. to Gifted Office.
Apr. 1, 2020 Old Donation School Selection Committee meets to review applicants for placement in grades 3-5 for the 2020-2021 school year. TBD
Apr. 3, 2020 Testing of all grade 1 applicants not currently enrolled in VBCPS; Laskin Road Annex at 8:30 a.m.  Please watch email for any postponements or cancellations.
Apr. 3, 2020 Old Donation School decision letters for grades 3-5 emailed to parents/guardians. TBD
Apr. 2020 Old Donation School Grades 6-8 Appeals Committee TBD
Apr. 2020 Old Donation School appeal decision letters for grades 6-8 emailed to parents/guardians. TBD
Apr. 17, 2020 Deadline to appeal Old Donation School Selection Committee decisions for grades 3-5. Due by 4 p.m. to Office of K-12 and Gifted Programs. TBD
Apr. 22, 2020 Letters of Intent for grades 3-5 due to Old Donation School
Apr. 2020 Grades 3-5 Old Donation School Appeals Committee
Apr. 2020 Old Donation School appeal decision letters for grades 3-5 emailed to parents/guardians
Apr. 29-May 4 Gifted Identification and Placement Committee meetings for grade 1 TBD
May 6, 2020 Old Donation School Selection Committee meets to review grade 1 applicants for placement in grade 2 for the 2020-2021 school year. TBD
May 8, 2020 Old Donation School decision letters for grade 2 emailed to parents/guardians. TBD
May 22, 2020 Letters of Intent for grade 2 due to Old Donation School
May 22, 2020 Deadline to appeal Old Donation School Selection Committee decisions for grade 2. Due by 4:00 pm to Gifted Office.
May 2020 Grade 2 Old Donation School Appeals Committee
May 2020 Old Donation School appeal decision letters for grade 2 emailed to parents/guardians
June 2020 TBD Open House for Selected Students, grades 2-5 at Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road, 4-5 p.m.

Gifted Dance Education Program

The Gifted Dance Education Program is a one day a week pull-out model for identified students entering grades 3-8 and is housed at Old Donation School. Admission into the program is determined through an application and audition process. Criteria considered by the Identification Committee are based on strong potential in dance as demonstrated during the one day assessment to include rhythmic ability, movement qualities, sequencing, developmental movement patterns and creativity. Gifted dance students are presented a comprehensive curriculum which emphasizes the areas of concepts, skill development, dance history and appreciation, and creativity. Students must be enrolled in VBCPS to participate in the program.

Students currently enrolled in VBCPS must submit applications online through the school division’s Gifted Management Application System using their student ID number and login credentials. Students not currently enrolled in VBCPS will download the non-VBCPS student application and submit a completed application to Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Applications will be available beginning Sept. 3, 2019, and must be submitted by Feb. 3, 2019 at 4 p.m. Late, incomplete or faxed applications will not be processed.

Gifted Dance Education Program application for VBCPS students Gifted Dance Education Program application for non-VBCPS students

Gifted Dance Education timeline

Sept. 3, 2019 Application available online for eligible students in grades 2-7
Jan. 9, 2020 Old Donation School Gifted Dance Education Citywide Parent Information Night for students currently in grades 2-7. Tours of the dance studios are 5:00-5:30 p.m. Presentation at 5:30-6:00 p.m. at Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road.
Feb. 3, 2020 DEADLINE: Gifted Dance Education applications are due. VBCPS student's application is to be submitted online no later than 4:00 p.m. (Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.)
Non-VBCPS applications are due to Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road no later than 4:00 p.m. (Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.)
Apr. 20 – 30, 2020 Gifted Dance Education Full Day Assessment at Old Donation School Changed to April 27 - May 8
May 1, 2020 Gifted Dance Education Identification/Selection Committee meets Changed to May 8
May 6, 2020 Gifted Dance Education Identification/Selection Committee decision letters emailed to parents/guardians. TBD
May 15, 2020 DEADLINE: Appeals of Gifted Dance Education Identification/Selection Committee decisions. Appeals are to be submitted to Dr. Kelly Hedrick, Principal at Old Donation School, no later than 4:00 p.m.
May 19, 2020 Letters of Intent due to Old Donation School
May 20, 2020 Gifted Dance Education Appeals Committee meets
May 26, 2020 Gifted Dance Education Appeals Identification/Selection Committee decision letters emailed to parents/guardians
June 4, 2020 Deadline for Gifted Dance Education second-level appeals. Due by 4 p.m. to the Director for the Office of Gifted Programs, in the School Administration Building at 2512 George Mason Drive.

Gifted Visual Arts Program

The Gifted Visual Arts Program serves elementary and middle school students entering grades 3-8. Admission to the program is determined through an application and portfolio screening. Considered students will attend a full day assessment. The elementary program is a one day a week pull-out model for identified students entering grades 3-5 and is housed at Old Donation School. The middle school program for identified students entering grades 6-8 is housed at Virginia Beach Middle School (VBMS). Students attend VBMS full time with the Gifted Visual Arts instruction integrated into their regular middle school schedule. The gifted art curriculum integrates art history criticism, aesthetic perception, creativity, theory, and skill development as well components from the core curriculum of knowledge. Students must be enrolled in VBCPS to participate in the program.

Students currently enrolled in VBCPS must submit applications online through the school division’s Gifted Management Application System using their student ID number and login credentials. Students not currently enrolled in VBCPS will download the non-VBCPS student application and submit a completed application to Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Applications will be available beginning Sept. 3, 2019, and must be submitted by Feb. 3, 2020 at 4 p.m. Late, incomplete or faxed applications will not be processed.

Gifted Visual Arts Program application for VBCPS students Gifted Visual Arts Program application for non-VBCPS students (available Sept. 5)

Gifted Visual Arts timeline

Sept. 3, 2019 Application available online for eligible students in grades 2-7
Dec. 10, 2019 Virginia Beach Middle School Gifted Visual Arts Citywide Parent Information Night for students currently in grades 5-7 at Virginia Beach Middle School, 600 25th Street. Gifted Visual Arts presentation is at 5:30. Rising 6th grade Virginia Beach Middle School information begins at 6:00 p.m.
Jan. 9, 2020 Old Donation School Gifted Visual Arts Citywide Parent Information Night for students currently in grades 2-4. Tours of the art studios are 5:00-5:30 p.m. Presentation at 5:30-6:00p.m. at Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road.
Feb. 3, 2020 DEADLINE: Gifted Visual Arts applications are due. VBCPS student's application is to be submitted online; the art portfolio is due to the student's Gifted Resource Teacher no later than 4:00 p.m. (Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.)
Non-VBCPS applications and art portfolios are due to Old Donation School, 4633 Honeygrove Road no later than 4:00 p.m. (Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.)
Feb. 10-14, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio Review
Feb. 18, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio Committee decision letters emailed to parents/guardians
Feb 27, 2020 DEADLINE: Appeals of Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio decisions. Appeals are to be submitted to Dr. Kelly Hedrick, Principal at Old Donation School, no later than 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 2, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio Appeals Committee meets.
Mar. 4, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio Appeals Committee decision letters emailed to parents/guardians
Mar. 13, 2020 DEADLINE: Second-level appeals of the Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio decisions. Second-level appeals are to be submitted to the Director of the Office of Gifted Programs, School Administration Building, 2512 George Mason Drive.
Mar. 17, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Portfolio Second-Level Appeals Committee meets
Mar. 23-Apr. 2, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Full Day Assessment at Old Donation School Changed to April 17 - May 8
Apr. 3, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Identification/Selection Committee meets. Changed to May 8
Apr. 8, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Identification/Selection Committee decision letters emailed to parents/guardians. TBD
Apr. 20, 2020 Letters of Intent due to Old Donation School
Apr. 22, 2020 DEADLINE: Appeals of the Gifted Visual Arts Identification/Selection Committee decisions. Appeals are to be submitted to Dr. Kelly Hedrick, Principal at Old Donation School, no later than 4:00 p.m.
Apr. 27, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Identification/Selection Appeals Committee meets
Apr. 29, 2020 Gifted Visual Arts Identification/Selection Appeals Committee decision letters emailed to parents/guardians
May 8, 2020 DEADLINE: Second-level appeals of Gifted Visual Arts Identification/Selection decisions. Second-level appeals are to be submitted to the Director of the Office of Gifted Programs, School Administration Building, 2512 George Mason Drive, no later than 4:00 p.m.