New to SPS Highly Capable Fall 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 student’s academic strengths, and participating 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 visit the Public School Student Eligibility Process page or reach out to our Customer Care Team at hicap@seattleschools.org

Step 1: Criteria for Participation

• Students must be entering grades 2-5 for the 2027-28 school year. We do not have a new to Seattle process for incoming middle and high school students.
• Live within the Seattle Public Schools boundaries. Please know that applications submitted without proof of residency will not be processed.
• Fall Application Window: Oct. 1-31, 2026

Step 2: Submit an Application and Pay Fee

• Submit an application for New to SPS Highly Capable Identification (opens Oct. 1-31)
• Pay the applicable fee via School Pay. Link is included in the application.

Step 3: Submit Portfolio

• Submit Student Portfolio Materials to hicap2@seattleschools.org
  • Standardized assessment data from the current and previous school year (2025-26) in reading and math. Examples include ERB, SSAT, i-Ready, STAR, IOWA, MAP, etc.
  • Current and previous school year report cards.

Applications will not be reviewed or processed if families are unable to submit required documents during the October 1-31 submission window. 

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

Step 4: Register for Testing

SPS uses multiple criteria, including two assessments to measure general ability (Nonverbal and Quantitative).For more information about these assessments, please visit Naglieri Assessments website. The results will become part of the overall data package review for each student. We are offering two testing sessions on the following date:

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 – Testing will take place at John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) at 2445 3rd Ave S. Seattle, WA 98134

Session 1: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Session 2: 2-4 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.

Step 5: Qualification

After testing, SPS reviews the complete set of information about your child. A Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC) reviews the available data and makes a final determination.

Timeline

• Oct. 1 New-to-Seattle Application Opens
• Oct. 31 New-to-Seattle Application Due
• Nov. 14 (Saturday) Testing at John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence located at 2445 3^rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
• Nov 16-26 MPC Reviews all data and makes final determination
• Dec 15 Decisions Released

Appeal

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