The vision and mission of Rockingham County Schools' AIG program are in alignment with the district's vision and mission. 

The Rockingham County Schools' Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program will empower each child to be a life-long learner, equipped to contribute in a changing, complex society. 

Through effective relationships with family and community partners, the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program of the Rockingham County School district will provide a safe, dynamic, nurturing, and innovative learning environment in which each child has the opportunity to reach his/her highest potential. To do this effectively, elementary, middle, and high schools will strive to identify and meet the unique educational needs of gifted students who come from all ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic groups. The cultivation of potential in this population must be enhanced through an appropriate match of differentiated services to individual needs as we strive to prepare the students for success in the 21st century. The program encourages critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem solving, while also addressing the social and emotional needs of the students.

For twenty-five years North Carolina has been a leader in advocacy and legislation for providing an appropriate education for academically gifted students. In August 1996, the General Assembly passed new legislation which changed gifted education in the state. The law, Article 9B, created a multi-tiered system of responsibility and accountability for building a foundation for North Carolina's gifted children. All parts of the foundation — the State Board of Education, the Department of Public Instruction, the local board of education and its system's administration, teachers, parents, and the community — must work together to support the state's high-potential children. The students themselves have also been given responsibility for using the options and support available to them and for working to demonstrate successful performance. NCAGT website.

​North Carolina State Definition of AIG Students, Article 9B (N.C.G.S. § 115C-150.5)
Academically or intellectually gifted (AIG) students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experiences or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both the intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or intellectually gifted students require differentiated educational services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.