Criteria & Testing
Intellectual Curiosity and Giftedness
Ideaventions Academy is designed for gifted learners who are passionate about learning and ready for the rigor and depth of our courses. We review applicants holistically; as such, no single element determines admission. Due to our commitment to small classes, we are unable to accept all qualified applicants. Our admission rate is under 35%.
We evaluate student applications through a range of factors, including:
Once the above items have been received, we review the student's application. If they seem that they might be successful here academically, we invite them to the Student Visit, followed by the Parent Interview.
We evaluate student applications through a range of factors, including:
- Cognitive/academic ability assessments (typically those with an IQ of 130+. Please see below for more information.)
- Report cards and grades
- Attendance history (including absences and tardies)
- Teacher recommendations addressing motivation, kindness and empathy, intellectual curiosity, maturity, commitment to learning, and engagement within their current school community
- Individual Learning Plan (if applicable): Please note that we have limited resources to support students with learning differences. Students with an IEP, 504 Plan, or an individual learning plan must include the full testing and learning plan at the time of application.
Once the above items have been received, we review the student's application. If they seem that they might be successful here academically, we invite them to the Student Visit, followed by the Parent Interview.
- Student Visit and observation, which may include math and writing assessments (invitation only)
- Parent Interview (invitation only)
Standardized Testing
Accepted tests must be within 36 months of application:
Setting up a testing appointment and receiving the results could take several weeks depending on the provider. While we do not endorse any particular practice, listed below are some local psychologists that administer the WISC, WPPSI, or the SB-5. Each psychologist has their own fee schedule.
- Preferred:
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V) (age 6 and older)
- WPPSI - IV (age 6 and under)
- Stanford-Binet V
- Differential Abilities Scale (DAS)
- CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
- Also accepted:
- SAT or ACT (for applicants into 6th grade and above)
- PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT
- Previously administered CoGAT or NNAT (If more than 36 months old, supporting standardized achievement test scores from prior two years [e.g., Iowas, SOLs, Algebra Readiness, etc.] must also be submitted.
- SCAT (taken for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth [CTY] admissions)
Setting up a testing appointment and receiving the results could take several weeks depending on the provider. While we do not endorse any particular practice, listed below are some local psychologists that administer the WISC, WPPSI, or the SB-5. Each psychologist has their own fee schedule.
- Diana Dahlgren, PhD
- Mindwell Psychology: Offering WISC testing Saturday, November 15 from 9am - 5pm
- Family First Psychological Services
- George Mason University Cognitive Assessment Program
- Map to Gifted Testers in the area
Resources on Giftedness
We've spent decades learning about teaching gifted students. Here are a few helpful resources:
- Daimon Institute for the Highly Gifted
- Davidson Institute Programs and Support for the Profoundly Gifted
- Gifted Development Center
- Hoagies' Gifted
- Institute for Educational Advancement: Defining Gifted
- Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
- National Association for Gifted Children
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
- Virginia Association for the Gifted
- Fairfax County Association for the Gifted
Nondiscrimination Statement
Ideaventions Academy admits students of any race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Ideaventions Academy prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ideaventions Academy also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
