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High School Highly Capable Referral

Referrals for High School Highly Capable Services

The Highly Capable eligibility referral process for 9th-11th grade students takes place from February 5-March 15.

Opportunities for all SPS Students

All SPS high school students, with or without a Highly Capable designation, can register for:

  • Honors
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • International Baccalaureate (Chief Sealth, Ingraham, Rainier Beach HS only)
  • Running Start
  • College in High School courses

See what courses are offered at each high school.

How are eligibility decisions made for 9th-11th grade students?

  • High School students can be referred by themselves, parents/guardians, teaching staff, and community members submitting a Highly Capable referral form by March 15, 2025.
  • Teaching staff can support students by providing completing an online form about student’s strengths and talent development characteristics
  • The Advanced Learning department will gather and evaluate available student’s educational records.

Eligibility Criteria

9th Grade
  • One standardized test scores (MAP/SBA) in Math and ELA
    • 95 percentile or higher
  • One semester grades of A’s in ELA, Math. Exceeding standards in any other academic courses (First Semester)
  • Teaching staff recommendation (details coming soon)
  • Cumulative GPA 3.65
10th Grade
  • One standardized test scores (MAP/SBA) in Math and ELA
    • 95 percentile or higher
  • One semester grades of A’s in ELA, Math. Exceeding standards in any other academic courses (First Semester)
  • Teaching staff recommendation (details coming soon)
  • Cumulative GPA 3.65
  • Transcript shows accumulation of 10+ total credits
11th Grade

  • One standardized test scores (MAP/SBA/PSAT, SAT) in Math and ELA
    • 95 percentile or higher
  • Advanced Placement test scores of 3+
  • One semester grades of A’s in ELA, Math. Exceeding standards in any other academic courses (First Semester)
  • Teaching staff recommendation (details coming soon)
  • Cumulative GPA 3.65
Additional data if applicable
  • Language acquisition assessment for students receiving multilingual services; and
  • Additional assessments in a student educational record that were used as part of a SPS Special Education evaluation, which resulted in a student receiving an individualized education program (IEP)

Timeline for Highly Capable Referrals

Referral process for High School is closed (as of March 15)

April and May 2024

  • Universal Screening process
  • Eligibility decision letter sent out
  • Parents/guardians provide consent for Highly Capable services.
  • Parents/guardians will receive details and guidance on how to submit an appeal in their student eligibility letter.
  • The Appeal Multidisciplinary Selection Committee will review each appeal and provide a written decision to parents/guardians within 25 school days of the receipt of the appeal form and all documentation/evidence.