2026-27 Highly Capable (HC) Pathway Elementary Schools

• Alki
• Cascadia
• Decatur
• Thurgood Marshall
• Rainier View

Neighborhood schools: Neighborhood schools offer an inclusive instructional program that aligns with SPS core instructional strategies, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Each neighborhood school’s CSIP describes how educators meet the needs of students.

Pathway Schools: Students attending pathway schools (Alki, Cascadia, Decatur, Rainier View and Thurgood Marshall) receive instruction using the district-approved curriculum, accelerated by two grades in mathematics and one grade in English Language Arts. In science and social studies, students benefit from differentiated instruction designed to meet their learning needs.  Each pathway school’s CSIP details how acceleration and differentiation are implemented.

2026-27 Highly Capable (HC) Pathway Middle Schools

• Hamilton International
• Jane Addams
• Madison
• Robert Eagle Staff
• Washington

Neighborhood schools: In neighborhood middle schools, educators use differentiation and UDL strategies to meet the diverse academic needs of their students, including those identified as Highly Capable. All students have access to Compacted Math 7/8 in 7th grade, which enables students to enroll in Algebra in 8th grade, potentially reaching AP Calculus by 12th grade. Each school’s CSIP explains how educators meet the needs of students.

Pathway Schools: Pathway schools (Madison, Washington, Jane Addams, Hamilton, and Robert Eagle Staff) offer additional acceleration options, including Geometry in 8th grade for eligible students. Language Arts uses a cluster group model, with differentiation to ensure access to accelerated standards. Each pathway school’s CSIP outlines the ways that educators meet the needs of Highly Capable learners.   

2026-27 Highly Capable Pathway High Schools

• Lincoln
• Garfield
• West Seattle

All students may enroll in advanced coursework at their high schools, including courses designated as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), Running Start, College in the High School, and International Baccalaureate (Chief Sealth, Ingraham, Rainier Beach HS only). Students, along with their academic counselor, plan their schedules, and will often take advantage of a combination of these opportunities.

Learn more about all the High School Advanced Placement Courses

Learn more about other high school dual credit course options

Students can exit from Highly Capable (HC) services if services are no longer appropriate. A meeting with the following attendees is required before this service delivery change.

• parent/guardian
• teacher
• administrator
• a representative from the Highly Capable Services Department
• the student (at parent/guardian discretion)

Students who were previously identified with a Highly Capable designation and then left the district should contact the HC Customer Care team at hicap@seattleschools.org after re-enrolling in Seattle Public Schools. The Customer Care team will verify the student’s prior eligibility, and once confirmed, the HC designation will be reinstated. Then families can submit a School Choice form to select their HC pathway school.