The Seattle Public Schools Advanced Learning office provides for the learning needs of students who are academically gifted, academically highly gifted, and high achievers/motivated learners through programs that provide rigorous and accelerated curricula.

Current Issues

Testing for Eligibility as Academically Highly Gifted or Academically Gifted

Testing for eligibility as Academically Highly Gifted or Academically Gifted is necessary for enrollment in the Accelerated Progress Program (APP) and/or the Spectrum program. The deadline to apply for the 2009-2010 fall/winter testing cycle is October 8, 2009. For nomination forms see Forms. Eligibility results from the fall/winter testing cycle will be available in January 2010 in time to enroll for the 2010-11 school year.


Advanced Placement Examinations (High School Students Only)

The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) exams are administered in May. In May 2009 more than 1800 students from eleven Seattle Public Schools high schools took over 3000 exams in 23 subject areas. These exams culminate a full year of rigorous course work and represent the hard work of high school students and their teachers. See Advanced Placement for more information.


Accelerated Progress Program (APP) Review

Seattle Public Schools continues to review what is working and what needs to be improved across our system. As part of that process, the district commissioned a series of external program and services reviews, including the Accelerated Progress Program (APP). The goal of the review, conducted by experts from the University of Virginia, was to evaluate Seattle’s services for highly capable learners compared with national best practice. For information about the report:

Accelerated Progress Program Review – Overview and Highlights
Accelerated Progress Program Review – Full Report

Accelerated Progress Program Advisory Committee (APPAC)

The Accelerated Progress Program Advisory Committee is a group of 15 volunteer parents and staff officially charged and appointed by the Superintendent of Seattle Schools to advise the District on behalf of the Accelerated Progress Program (APP). The committee has the following positions open for the 2009-10 academic year: Lowell Staff Representative, Washington Middle School Staff Representative.

For information, please contact committee chair, Stephanie Bower stbower@comcast.net.

See Parent Advisories for more information.

Updated 09/10/2009