Seattle Public Schools

Student Family Portal
Highly Capable
Seattle Public Schools/Departments/Highly Capable/Public School Students Eligibility Process

Public School Students Eligibility Process

Highly Capable Transfer Student Eligibility Process

SPS no longer uses outside cognitive testing or any assessments performed outside a classroom setting, to determine eligibility, unless present in a student’s Special Education evaluation that resulted in an IEP.

Instead, eligibility decisions are based on the Multidisciplinary Placement Committee’s (MPC) review of multiple kinds of evidence or data. The MPC team includes trained educators and professional staff.

This process is for students who:

  • are new to SPS for the 2025-26 school year (first time registering with the district) and 
  • are transferring from a national public school, where they participated in a Highly Capable (HC) or gifted program.

How to submit materials for eligibility review:

Note: the review window for 2025-26 closes on May 15, 2026

  1. Students must first be enrolled in the district. Learn how to enroll at SPS.
  2. Submit the following required documentation for evaluation to hicap2@seattleschools.org:
    • SPS Highly Capable Transfer Request: Pre-existing eligibility in a Public School Highly Capable or Gifted program required
    • Proof of enrollment in a public school HC or gifted program 
    • Test results used to place the student in the program
    • Most current achievement scores (math and reading)
  3. The Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC) will review the documentation and make a determination regarding eligibility for Highly Capable services.