Newport News Public Schools gifted screening and NNAT® guide.

Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) runs a General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) gifted program. The NNAT® is the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, a visual reasoning test that uses shapes and patterns instead of reading or math questions.

This guide is for NNPS families who want to understand the 2nd grade screening and what comes after it.

What Newport News says about gifted screening

Every 2nd grader takes an aptitude test in the classroom during the regular school day. Students who score above a certain level continue and take a second aptitude test later, which is one of several criteria. The district's calendar names the tests: the NNAT first, then the OLSAT for qualified students. Parents may opt their child out of the screening.

The eligibility decision looks at more than test scores: a teacher evaluation of gifted characteristics, a parent evaluation, the child's recent grades and instructional level in reading, math, science, and social studies, and other data as needed. Parents are notified of the final placement decision by letter. Placement from the 2025-26 calendar was for the following school year.

The referral limit is the part families miss

Elementary students can be referred or tested for GIA gifted services a total of three times during grades K-5, and the 2nd grade mass screening counts as one of those. After 2nd grade, testing is by referral. The 2025-26 calendar gave 3rd grade a referral window of March 11-18 with testing April 15-24, and 4th and 5th grade a January referral window with testing in February. Referrals can come from a teacher, parent, counselor, administrator, or the student, sent to the Gifted Services Department.

Because referrals are limited, it is worth asking about your child's earlier results before using one. If you disagree with a decision, first talk with the Gifted Services Supervisor; a written appeal must be sent within 20 instructional days of the decision.

Questions Newport News parents should ask

1. What are this year's dates for the 2nd grade NNAT screening?
2. What NNAT score moves a student on to the OLSAT?
3. How many of my child's three K-5 referrals have already been used?
4. When will we get the placement letter?
5. Which gifted site would my child attend, based on our address?
6. How do I opt out, or request a referral in 3rd grade?

Our broader questions to ask your school guide can help you turn those into one clear conversation with the Gifted Services Department.

How to prepare without adding pressure

With a fall screening, the useful window for preparation is short, so keep it calm and consistent rather than intense.

Keep it short and steady: 10 to 15 minutes a day is plenty for a young child. Focus on format familiarity first. Show your child the kinds of visual puzzles the NNAT® uses, then talk through the reasoning after each one rather than just marking it right or wrong. Practice teaches your child what the questions look like and gives them ways to approach and think through them, so test day feels familiar instead of surprising.

Once the format feels familiar, add at least two full timed practice tests so test-day pacing is not a surprise. Our guide to how to prepare for the NNAT® lays out that progression in more detail.