SPS Expands HC services to Alki and Rainier View elementaries

Seattle Public Schools is expanding access to Highly Capable (HC) services with the addition of two new elementary school sites—Alki Elementary and Rainier View Elementary—beginning in the 2026–27 school year. These new sites reflect feedback heard during community engagement sessions, where families and educators asked for HC services closer to home. 

Educators and leadership teams at both schools are excited to welcome HC learners into their communities. Instruction in math and language arts will be aligned with current HC cohort sites at Thurgood Marshall, Cascadia, and Decatur Elementary Schools, ensuring a consistent, accelerated learning experience across the district.  

With more than 800 newly identified HC students this year, district leaders are confident that students will learn, thrive, and grow at these new sites. 

HC site placement is based on a student’s home address and elementary school boundary. 

Rainier View Elementary serves students from Emerson, Rainier View, Dunlap, Wing Luke, MLK, Graham Hill, South Shore, Dearborn Park, Maple, and Rising Star. 

Alki Elementary serves students from Lafayette, Alki, Genesee Hill, Fairmount Park, Gatewood, West Seattle Elementary, Sanislo, Concord, Highland Park, Roxhill, and Arbor Heights. 

Thurgood Marshall Elementary continues to serve students from: Hawthorne, Montlake, McGilvra, Stevens, Lowell, Madrona, Leschi, Bailey Gatzert, Beacon Hill, Thurgood Marshall, Kimball, and John Muir. 

Families who would like their student(s) to attend one of the new HC sites should complete the New HC Elementary School Selection Form for Current HC Families by Tuesday, March 31. Families who prefer to remain at their current school do not need to take any action, and students currently attending Thurgood Marshall Elementary may remain through 5th grade. 

Families are invited to attend an information session at each of the new sites to learn more about the schools and HC services.  

• Alki Elementary: Wednesday, March 18, 5-6 p.m. at the school’s current interim site at Schmitz Park (5000 SW Spokane Street) 
• Rainier View Elementary: Thursday, March 19, 5-6 p.m. at Rainier View (11650 Beacon Ave. S) 

For questions, please contact hicap@seattleschools.org.