Highly Capable Program
NTPS wants to develop the abilities of all students and offer highly-capable services to help identify students who would benefit from accelerated learning and enhanced instruction. See Policy 2190.
What is a Highly Capable Student?
As defined by the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 392-170-035), highly capable students are students who perform or show potential for performing at advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Students who are highly capable may possess, but are not limited to, these learning characteristics:
- capacity to learn with unusual depth of understanding, to retain what has been learned, and to transfer learning to new situations;
- capacity and willingness to deal with increasing levels of abstraction and complexity earlier than their chronological peers;
- creative ability to make unusual connections among ideas and concepts;
- ability to learn quickly in their area(s) of intellectual strength; and
- capacity for intense concentration and/or focus.
All students within NTPS boundaries who are motivated to take on the challenge of more rigorous learning are eligible to apply to the program. Students may test for highly capable identification once per year during their applicable grade level testing cycle. Out of district students may be assessed for a non-refundable fee of $150. Placement in one of our schools will be offered only if there is capacity.
Contact Us
assessment@nthurston.k12.wa.us
360-412-4461
Program Process & Options
The assessment and identification process for grades Kindergarten–7th grade is currently under review. Please check back for changes starting in the 2024-25 school year.