Advanced Opportunities

The school-based gifted program, DEPTH (Developing Expanded Perspectives Through Higher-level thinking), is available at each elementary school to students in grades 3-5 who have been identified as gifted. These students are provided with pull-out enrichment services for 45 minutes each week. During this time, students work on projects and activities designed to challenge thinking and provide rigor across core content areas.

Gifted students in grades 3-5 may be invited to attend the Gifted Opportunities (GO) Center at R. S. Payne Elementary School. There are two classes each in third, fourth, and fifth grades. The maximum number of students per class is 25. Click here for more on this special program and the eligibility process.

XLR8: Lynchburg Regional Governor’s STEM Academy is the 16th regional Governor’s STEM Academy offering programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (subjects known collectively as “STEM”) for high school juniors and seniors in Virginia’s Region 2000/Lynchburg regional area. Located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College, XLR8 offers academic and technical training related to careers in engineering, technology and health science diagnostic services. Click here for more about the STEM Academy

The Central Virginia Governor's School for Science & Technology is for select juniors and seniors in Lynchburg City Schools and surrounding counties. The mission of the school is to develop leaders who possess the research and technical skills, the global perspective, and the vision needed to address the challenges of a rapidly changing society. The curriculum is designed to provide a challenging academic program which enables students to develop independent learning strategies. Click here for more about the Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology

The Early College Program is designed for high school juniors and seniors who have exhibited the dedication to academics necessary to succeed in a more rigorous program. These individuals are driven to excellence and welcome the challenge of tackling a college curriculum while completing their secondary education requirements. They are on the fast track to success and an Early College Degree is all the motivation needed to boost their efforts. The Early College Program provides an opportunity for these students to receive their high school diploma and their Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in General Studies from CVCC at the same time. The Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in General Studies is a flexible program for those who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university. The Early College curriculum includes a distribution of general education courses which are usually required in the first two years of many baccalaureate programs. Click here for more about Early College.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses provide high school students the opportunity to earn college credits by scoring successfully on the related AP Exams. See the AP Credit Policy database for specific colleges' guidelines on accepting AP scores for credit. Due to the rigor and work load, all of these AP courses are weighted at 5.0 quality points for an -A. All students completing Advanced Placement (AP) courses must take the associated AP Exams in May. If a student is unable to participate in the AP exam for a course, that course will be recognized on the student’s transcript as an advanced level course (weighted at 4.5 rather than 5.0 quality points) for the second semester, and the student must sit for the corresponding final exam (unless a senior exam exemption applies) and that exam will constitute 10% of the student’s second semester grade for the course. In the case of extreme extenuating circumstances, appeals to this practice may be submitted to the deputy superintendent of instruction.

List of AP Courses Available with Lynchburg City Schools

• AP Language/Composition
• AP Literature
• AP American History
• AP World History
• AP European History
• AP Micro and Macro Economics
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Statistics
• AP Latin (Vergil)
• AP Spanish Language 5
• AP French Language 5
• AP German Language 5
• AP American Government
• AP Comparative Government
• AP Human Geography
• AP Chemistry
• AP Physics
• AP Biology
• AP Art History
• AP Portfolio Art
• AP Music Theory
• AP Psychology
• AP Computer Science
• AP Environmental Science
• Other courses may be available as online courses