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Highly Capable
Highly Capable
Our Highly Capable Program follows Washington State guidelines to support students who perform or show potential to perform at advanced levels compared to others their age in verbal (language and literacy) and quantitative (math) areas.
We aim to give all students equitable access to challenging learning opportunities that help them grow and build on their strengths. Students are identified districtwide at two grade levels and through a referral process.
Our goal is to help highly capable students accelerate their learning, deepen their understanding, and nurture their creativity so they are both supported and challenged.
Program Overview
Depending upon the area of strength and the level of service needed, a child may receive services in their general education classroom or in a self-contained program.
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General education classroom services could include:
- Cluster grouping
- Curriculum compacting
- Differentiated assignments
- Enrichment clusters
- Special projects
- Subject acceleration
A small number of highly capable students have significantly different learning needs and may thrive in full-time, self-contained classrooms.
Elementary Venture (Grades 2-5)- Located at Emerald Heights Elementary and Cottonwood Elementary. Placement is based on the location of student’s home school
- Students progress into the middle school Magnet program without further testing.
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General education classroom services could include:
- Cluster grouping
- Curriculum compacting
- Differentiated assignments
- Enrichment clusters
- Special projects
- Subject acceleration
A small number of highly capable students have significantly different learning needs and may thrive in full-time, self-contained classrooms.
Magnet program (Grades 6-8)- Students attend their home middle school where they participate in a rigorous program for language arts, social studies and science within the regular school day.
- Students attend three periods of Venture classes and three periods of other middle school classes (e.g. PE, Band, Math).
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In high school, students are encouraged to take challenging courses that address their strength(s) and areas of interest. Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and College in the High School courses are open to all students.
Identification Process
To determine whether a student is identified as highly capable in Central Kitsap, a district team reviews the collection of evidence for each student referred. The evidence for referrals will be reviewed, but not all referred students will be eligible for further testing. Based on the data, the team makes recommendations to either identify or not identify students for placement for the following school year. Recommendations will be shared with families prior to the end of the current school year.
Screening for the Highly Capable Program will take place January 12-February 9 (grades 6-11) and March 2-March 25 (grades 2-5). The specific dates will be determined by each school.
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Students must be enrolled in Central Kitsap School District in order to participate in the referral process.
Once a year, we accept referrals for students to be screened for highly capable services for the following school year. Information and forms will be available here when the referral window opens. This year’s referral window is November 17 through January 5. No referrals will be accepted after January 5.
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Parents/Guardians have the right to appeal the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee's decision within 10 days of placement notification. The appeal must include reasons for reconsideration and evidence to support the reasons.
Within fifteen (15) school days after receiving a written appeal, the committee makes its final decision. The parent/guardian will receive this decision by mail.
The appeal form will be available here when the window is open.
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Students must be enrolled in Central Kitsap School District in order to participate in the identification process.
Some students enroll in Central Kitsap with a previous highly capable (gifted) identification. Districts often have different qualifying factors for identification. A review of records and supporting documentation is necessary in order to be considered for highly capable services as a transfer student.
To ease the transition, we recommend that you hand-carry copies of your child’s highly capable records with you when registering since those records are not typically part of a student’s cumulative file. Depending on the documentation and qualifying factors, your child may be identified and placed immediately or additional testing may be required.
Documentation and records that are helpful to submit:
- Any student score reports of assessments taken for highly capable identification (e.g. Naglieri, Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), SBA, iReady, STAR, MAP, etc.)
- Acceptance letter confirming program placement and details of program (e.g. self-contained class, pull-out twice a week)
- Previous year's report card showing successful mastery of previous year’s standards
If additional testing is needed, students will have the opportunity to participate during the next scheduled testing window.
Military Connected Students
Our district participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Qualifying students shall initially be placed in courses based on their previous school enrollment to the extent that such courses are provided for in CKSD. Subsequent evaluations may occur to ensure the appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the student in the program.Exit
Once students have been identified by CKSD as highly capable, they remain eligible for services throughout their enrollment in CKSD unless they are exited from the Highly Capable program.
The exit process may be initiated:
- by a teacher or program administrator for a student who no longer shows a need for services or,
- by a parent/guardian or student who requests withdrawal of services
For more information and/or to start the process, contact Erin Johnson at erinj@ckschools.org, 360-662-1700 ext. 1735.