New to SPS Highly Capable Summer Application Process and Timeline

Private and homeschool students are considered for SPS Highly Capable Services through a multi-step process that includes an initial application and fee (waived for eligible families), a comprehensive review of a student’s academic strengths, and participation in additional assessments.  

Please note: SPS does not accept private evaluations in place of school and district-based assessments. If you are transferring from a public school and have an existing Highly Capable designation, please contact hicap@seattleschools.org directly.  

Criteria for Participation

Criteria for non-SPS students to participate in the Highly Capable Identification Process 

• Students must be entering grades 2-5 for the 2026-27 school year
• Submit an application for New to SPS Highly Capable Identification (opens on June 1st) demonstrating proof of residency within the boundaries of Seattle Public Schools and paying the applicable processing fees 
• Additionally, families must submit Student Portfolio Materials to hicap2@seattleschools.org
• Once identified, Highly Capable Services are only available to enrolled Seattle Public Schools students  

Once materials are received, families will be able to register their student for a testing day in July 2026.  

Assessment

As of the 2025-26 school year, SPS will use a new series of assessments for private/homeschool student identification in general abilities, math, and language. Please visit Naglieri for more information about these assessments. The results will become part of the overall data package review for each student. We are offering two testing sessions on the following date:

Thursday, July 9-Testing at John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE)

Session 1: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Session 2: 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

The assessments will take approximately 90 minutes, including directions and breaks. Parents should plan to remain at the testing location with their child.

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Comprehensive Portfolio

Portfolio materials need to be emailed to hicap2@seattleschools.org no later than June 30, 2026. Please review the information requested. We want to emphasize that the quality of the information is more significant than the quantity. Portfolios at a minimum need to include the following:  

• Standardized Assessment Data from the current and previous school year (two years total) in reading and math. Examples include ERB, SSAT, i-Ready, STAR, IOWA, MAP, etc.  
• Current and previous school year report cards 

Summer Application Window: June 1-30

All portfolio materials are due no later than June 30. Please submit all materials to hicap2@seattleschools.org.

Applications will not be reviewed or processed if families are unable to submit required documents during the June 1- 30 submission window. 

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Qualification

Qualifying decisions are based upon whether the total package of data indicates a need for services beyond the scope of our neighborhood schools. Multiple measures are used to provide an accurate view of each student’s potential, ability, and need.  

In addition to the student’s academic information submitted via the family, the Multi-Disciplinary Team will consider the Naglieri assessment results.   

Timeline

• Jun. 1 New-to-Seattle Application Opens 
• Jun. 30 New-to-Seattle Application Due 
• Jul. 9 Thursday Testing at John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
• Jul. 10-23 MPC Reviews all data and makes final determination 
• Jul. 24 Decisions Released  

Appeal

Because private and homeschool students begin with a portfolio review, identification decisions are final and not subject to appeal.