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Student Identification Process

Referral  Process

Referrals for highly capable services are open and will close on November 07, 2025. Please read Tips and Instructions if you need help. (Please scroll to the bottom for an audio file with more information on referring a student for testing) 

ACADEMIC HICAP REFERRAL LINK 

For more information on characteristics of highly capable students, please see the Student Characteristics section below. 

Students 2nd and 5th grade do not require a referral, as all students in these grades participate in the annual universal screening. Please contact the Highly Capable program office with any questions regarding the screening process. 

Teachers, parents and community members can refer students. You will receive an email response within 10 business days confirming receipt of referral.

Anyone with questions on the referral process should contact the Highly Capable Program at highlycapable@skschools.org.

Please Note: If a student has special testing needs, it is the responsibility of the individual who has referred that student to notify the Highly Capable Testing Coordinator.

 

Testing Process

The Highly Capable program will accept academic referrals for K-11 students from August 27, 2025, through November 7, 2025, for testing and identification. Students identified through this process will begin receiving services in the following school year.  

Testing begins in November and runs through January.  

Testing Information by Grade Level

All 2nd graders in SKSD will be screened in their regular classrooms with the Naglieri General Abilities  Test. This test gives a general indication of each student's abilities in three areas: verbal (language), quantitative (mathematics), and non-verbal (spatial relationships). This assessment is used to determine general ability of students to grasp abstract concepts in advance of their peers. 

All 5th graders in SKSD will be screened in their regular classrooms with the non-verbal (spatial relationships) portion of the Naglieri General Abilities  Test 

All referred students in grades K, 1, 3, 4, & 6 with exception of 2nd and 5th graders will also take the Naglieri General Abilities Test.  Students in grades 7-12 will be reviewed by the Highly Capable office, which will determine the appropriate testing required for identification. 

Additional data considered for identification include: state, district, building level academic assessments, along with teacher and parent input, which are reviewed to guide Highly Capable program recommendations. 

Students who are identified will begin receiving services in the fall. Parents can view their student's scores in Qmlativ (Skyward) and will receive notification by mail if their student is identified. 

 

Referral, Testing and Identification Timeline for the 2025-2026 school year

  • September-November: Referrals accepted for grades K-11. 
  • November-January: All second and fifth-grade students are administered the Naglieri in their regular classrooms. 
  • December-January: Referred students in grades K, 1, 3, 4, 6 will be administered the Naglieri. Parents/guardians of referred students are notified and sent a Permission to Test form.  *Referred students do require Parent/Guardian permission to be assessed for highly capable services.
  • January: All make-up tests administered.
  • February: Teacher/State/District data collection. Multi-disciplinary Selection Committee reviews all data.
  • March 5: Final selections and notifications. First appeal window opens.
  • March 20: First appeal window closes.
  • April 20: SOAR decisions forms due.
  • April 29: Appeal decisions sent. Second appeal window opens.
  • May 11: Second appeal window closes.
  • June 10: Final appeal decision sent.

 

Appeals Process

Students who are not recommended for SKSD's Highly Capable program have the right to submit an appeal. An appeal form must be submitted within ten school days of receiving the notification letter along with additional data not shared previously must be included with the appeal form. Appeals are reviewed by the district’s Multidisciplinary Selection Committee (MDSC) and parents will be notified of the decision via regular mail.  The parent/legal guardian may appeal the decision of the appeals committee to the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning within 10 school days of receiving the appeals committee's decision.  The Executive Director of Teaching and Learning will make a decision within 30 school days after receipt of a written request for reconsideration. The Executive Director's decision is final. 

Appeal Form

Please contact the Highly Capable Services office if you have further questions or need additional information:
highlycapable@skschools.org

or call

(360) 874-6300

 

Please click the audio file link below for more information on referring your student for Highly Capable services.

 

The Art Hub in SKThe Art Hub in SK, which is the  Highly Capable (HiCap) art program, referral window will be open from January 1, 2026-February 27, 2026. Referrals can be submitted for students in grades 2 through 5 who demonstrate significantly advanced fine artistic abilities compared to their peers. 

Students referred for The Art Hub in SK program, will be administered the Clark's Drawing Abilities Test. 

An Arts Selection Committee (ASC), composed of professional artists, will review each student's assessment. Students selected for the program will receive a program decision form allowing them the choice to participate in The Art Hub in SK. 

Services for students who demonstrate advanced artistic ability will begin the following school year. Students who choose to participate in The Art Hub in SK will meet one day a month after school at varying locations, depending on the fine art activity. 

THE ART HUB IN SK REFERRAL LINK (Not Active at this time)

Appeals Process

Students who are not recommended for South Kitsap School District's Highly Capable Art Hub have the right to submit an appeal. To begin the appeal process:

  1.  A parent or guardian must complete an appeal form.
  2.  Submit four additional original pieces of artwork to the Highly Capable Program Coordinator by June 1, 2026. You can submit pieces digitally to highlycapable @skschools.org or submit hard copies to the South Kitsap School District receptionist. 

Appeals submitted after June 1, 2026 or without the required materials, will not be reviewed or considered. Appeals are reviewed by the district’s Art Selection Committee (ACS) and parents will be notified of the decision via regular mail.