Highly Capable (Gifted)
The Tahoma School District Highly Capable Program provides a continuum of services for eligible students in grades 1-12.
The continuum of services is fluid and responsive to students needs. The Elementary and Middle School Highly Capable Programs provide identified students with academic opportunities at an advanced, accelerated and rigorous level due to their ability to comprehend and apply information and skills. Options for services may include: self-contained classrooms, cluster groupings, differentiated instruction, AP courses, College in the High School, and Running Start.
Highly Capable Students
Highly capable students are students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Outstanding abilities are seen within students' general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivities within a specific domain. WAC 392-170-035
Program Goals
- Provide enriched and accelerated academic learning opportunities with a focus on developing critical thinking and problem solving skills and strategies.
- Offer an environment where highly capable students meet their full potential and are stimulated intellectually and encouraged to develop the Tahoma Future Ready Skills.
- Foster the social and emotional welfare of our highly capable students where they grow and develop a positive image of themselves and others.
- Offer learning opportunities that promote originality and creativity throughout their 1-12 experiences.
- Provide opportunities for all Tahoma students to be screened for highly capable services.
Highly Capable Information by Grade
Highly Capable Referral Window for 2025-26 School Year is Closed
The window for parent referrals for assessing students in grades K–7 for the 2025-26 school year was open November 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. The window is now closed
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Highly Capable Coordinator, Chris Everett at ceverett@tahomasd.us.
Screening Information
Washington State requires that all students in grades 2 and 5 are offered the opportunity to be screened for eligibility and participation in the Highly Capable Program. The screening will take place during a normal school day with your student's classroom teacher.
Second and fifth grade students throughout the district will take or participate in the Highly Capable universal screener - the Naglieri Non-verbal General Ability Tests. Following the screener assessment, students who qualify will have the opportunity to take another round of tests to determine final placement. The assessments used for the second round are the full Naglieri General Ability Tests. All families will receive notification from the district sharing whether or not their child will continue with the assessment process. Please see your child's grade information below for a specific timeline.
If you wish for your student to participate, you do not need to do anything. If you would like to opt your child out of the screening, please fill out this Highly Capable Screener Opt Out form.
Second and fifth grade students who attend private schools or home-based programs and reside in the TSD boundaries are also invited to participate during the assessment window. To enroll your student in testing, please contact Summer Welch in the fall of their second or fifth grade year at swelch@tahomasd.us.
Additional Placement Information
Appeal Process
Parents/legal guardians have the right to appeal the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee's decision. Individuals appealing the selection committee's decision must submit a completed appeals form or letter requesting review of selection/placement decision. The written request must include reasons for the appeal and, to support reconsideration, provide additional evidence of significantly advanced cognitive or academic levels and/or outstanding intellectual, academic, or creative abilities.
Parents/ legal guardians must submit the appeal request and supporting evidence to the Highly Capable Coordinator in Teaching and Learning within 10 school days of the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee's decision notification.
The District's appeals team will review the student's file, assessment profile data and additional evidence provided in the request for appeal. The appeals team is composed of: the Director of Teaching and Learning and Director of Special Services.
The decision of the appeals team may include:
- Upholding the original decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee; or
- Reversing the decision of the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee.
The appeals team will make a decision within 10 school days after receipt of written request for reconsideration and will notify the parent/legal guardian of the decision in writing. The decision of the appeals team is the final decision.
Selection Decision Appeal Form
Highly Capable Program Exit Procedures
A student may be exited from the program either at the request of a parent or a teacher. A meeting will be held with a building or district administrator, parent, and teacher to agree upon the decision to exit.
Contact Information
Chris Everett
Highly Capable Program Coordinator
(425) 413-3400
ceverett@tahomasd.us
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some common characteristics of a highly capable student?
- What happens if my student is sick on their evaluation day?
- My student was identified as Highly Capable in a previous district, why are they having to test again when transferring to Tahoma School District?
- If one of your children qualify for the Discovery class and their home school is not a Discovery school (Lake Wilderness or Cedar River), can a sibling attend the same Discovery school as their brother or sister?