General Dates and Timeline
Dates for the Advanced Learning Eligibility Referral and Decision Process. Please see the calendar above for current and upcoming dates.
Early Entrance to Kindergarten ​
- Application deadline is in April
Students who are not currently enrolled in Seattle Public Schools
- Referrals accepted in summer from June - August
Kindergarten - 8th Grade Students
- Student Referral Mid-May – Mid-September
- Student Screening and Testing September – December
- Eligibility Decisions and Parent Notifications December – January
Appeals must be made within three (3) weeks of receipt of Eligibility Notification.
Notifications completed in January
High School Students (9th - 12th)
- Referral Deadline is in March
Washington state law requires that there be an annual opportunity for students in grades K-12 to be
referred for Highly Capable eligibility. A few students in grades 9-12 choose to apply each year. There
are limited advantages to having HC status in high school, such as:
- Preference in accessing AP classes in high school when space is available
- Access to counseling support
- Including HC eligibility in letters of application to college
Students who become HC in grades 9-12 do not have preferential access to high schools other than their
attendance area school.
Referral and Testing Process Changes
- The referral window has been expanded from Mid-May until Mid-September
- Parents will be able to schedule their child’s testing appointment online
- Teachers in the spring were able to recommend students for referral