Highly Capable

Purpose & Program

The mission of the Monroe School District Highly Capable Program is to identify and serve highly capable K­12 students by providing a consistent, challenging and supportive educational environment within the resources of the district. We address the significantly higher learning needs of highly capable students through a continuum of service models that span from Kindergarten through 12th grade. We provide instruction, activities, and services that accelerate learning, and offer a unique academic challenge for young learners identified as highly capable. While the program offerings vary depending on the grade level of the student, the intent is to help students explore learning through enhanced activities that target their unique skills and abilities.

When a student is eligible for highly capable services (see Screening Process below), they are identified as highly capable once families grant permission. The student will keep that identification throughout their time in the district, no matter what type of program with which the student is enrolled (e.g., Montessori, Dual Language, Excel, etc.).

A highly capable student will receive services based on the placements below:

Service

Model

Description

 Grades 
 Cluster   Model A group of highly capable students (average is 4-6) are grouped together in a general education classroom where the teacher may differentiate what’s taught (content), the way it which it’s taught (process), or how the student demonstrates their learning (product). These decisions are based on if the student is ready for it (readiness), how they learn best (learning style), and level of interest. The differentiation may occur within a unit, within an essential standard, or lessons and assignments when applicable.  1-8
 Excel   Program* Self-contained classroom(s) that serve the highest performing highly capable students in 4th and 5th-grade. (Not all highly capable students will be placed in Excel. See * note below.)  4-5
 Student   Choice High school students have opportunities to enroll in classes that match their readiness and interest, such as AP courses, Running Start, Honors, College in the High School.  9-12

*The Excel Program is located at Salem Woods Elementary and transportation is provided for those families accepting placement from a designated location within their home school boundaries. Every spring, Monroe School District’s Multidisciplinary Placement Selection Committee will review data from all the district’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th-grade highly capable students to determine who will be offered enrollment in the Excel Program. Highly capable identification does not guarantee enrollment in Excel. All 4th and 5th-graders not offered enrollment in the Excel program will be served within the Cluster Model in a general education classroom.

Definition of a Highly Capable Student

As defined by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), highly capable students are those 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 productivity within a specific domain. Learn more about the characteristics of a highly capable student HERE.

Services Offered, Depending on District Placement

Elementary Level

  • Cluster Model 
    Highly Capable students are served in the general education classes with the cluster model. 

    • The cluster model is 3-5 highly capable students in a general education class. 
    • The teacher differentiates lessons, assignments, and projects based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile.
  • Excel Program - By Invitation Only*
    • Highly capable may be selected by the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee to enroll in the self-contained Highly Capable classroom, Excel, at Salem Woods Elementary. 
    • This classroom serves the highest performing highly capable students in 4th and 5th-grade. 
    • The math and reading curriculum is accelerated and the teacher differentiates lessons, assignments, and projects based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile. 
  • Students are notified of any after-school enrichment activities.

*If students are not eligible for the Excel Program, they will be served under the Cluster Model.

Middle Level

  • Cluster Model
    • Highly Capable students are served in the general education classes with the cluster model. Priority clusters are Reading and/or Math, depending on area of qualification. When possible, students may be clustered in other content areas.
    • The cluster model is a small group of highly capable students (average 4-6) in a general education class. 
    • Teacher may differentiate what’s taught (content), the way it which it’s taught (process), or how the student demonstrates their learning (product). These decisions are based on if the student is ready for it (readiness), how they learn best (learning style), and their level of interest. 
    • Differentiation may occur within a unit, within an essential standard, or lessons and assignments when applicable.
  • Students are notified of any after-school enrichment activities.

High School

  • Student Choice: 
    • School staff work to channel Hi Cap students into the advanced course offerings, such as Honors, College in the High School, AP Classes, Running Start, and Sno-Isle Skills Center. 
    • It is not required to be Hi Cap to take advanced course offerings.
  • Students are notified of any after-school enrichment activities.

Screening Process

Annually, the following steps are taken to screen Monroe School District students for highly capable eligibility:

ELEMENTARY (K-5)

Universal Screening: 

  • It is required by law.
  • All second and fourth grade students are administered the Naglieri General Abilities Tests.

Screened by Referral:

  • A teacher, parent, student or staff member can refer any student in grades K-1, 3 or 5.
  • Referred students are administered the Naglieri General Abilities Tests.

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-7)

Screened by Referral:

  • A teacher, parent, student, or staff member can refer any student in grades 6 and 7 to be screened.
  • Referred students are administered the Cognitive Abilities Assessment Screener (CogAT).
  • If the student passes the CogAT Screener, they will take the CogAT Post-Screener.

Please refer to the timeline below.

Timeline for the 2025-2026 Screening & Identification Process

Referral Window

October 8 - 24, 2025

  • Referral window is mid-October for current Monroe students in grades K, 1, 3, 5-7, with the exception of students already identified as HiCap. Referral Forms will be available in Family Access beginning on October 8, 2025.
     

  • A referral triggers the screening process and a review of the data.

  • Students in grades 2 and 4 do not need a referral, they are universally screened, with the exception of students already identified as HiCap.

Data Survey & Parent Permission

Fall 2025
  • Learning & Teaching Department compiles most recent data from the district/state assessments (iReady, Interim assessment, Fountas & Pinnell, evaluations, Smarter Balance Assessment, etc.) to identify students for possible screening as well as data for the Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Placement Committee.

Data Review #1

 Mid-January 2026
  • The district's Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Placement Committee reviews all student data.
  • The committee determines highly capable eligibility. 

Notification of Eligibility and Recommended Services for Students in Grades K, 1, 5-7

 Mid- February 2026
  • All families receive notification regarding highly capable eligibility.
  • Families of qualified student(s) entering grades 1, 2, 5-7 will have access to "Permission to Receive Highly Capable Services for 2026-2027" on Family Access in Online Forms. Services will be delivered through the Cluster Model. Permission is due early March 2026.

Appeals Window

 Mid to late February 2026
  • Parent/Guardian submits a written appeal to the decision made by HCMPC. 
  • Appeal data is processed.
  • The committee's final decision will be sent in writing to the person filing the appeal. If a student is determined to be eligible via appeal, a letter will be sent to the parent/guardian. 

Permission Due to Receive Services for Students in K, 1, 5-7

 Early March 2026
  • Permission to receive highly capable services beginning in 2026-2027 is due.
  • Families of qualified students in grades K, 1, 5-7 complete the form on Family Access in Online Forms.

Data Review #2

 Early March 2026
  • The district's Highly Capable Multidisciplinary Placement Committee reviews data of all 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade highly capable students, current AND newly qualified to determine services/placement of eligible students for the 2026-2027 school year. See table above for service models.

Notification of Recommended Services for Students in Grades 2-4

 Mid-March 2026
  • Families of students in grades 2-4 will be notified of highly capable services offered for the 2026-2027 school year. See above table for service models.

Deadline to Accept Services for 2026-2027

 March 31, 2026
  • For newly qualified students in grades 2-4, the "Permission to Receive Highly Capable Services" form should be complete on Family Access by March 31, 2025.

School-Based Placement

 April 2026
  • Updated Hi-Cap school rosters are provided to building administrators for placement consideration of the 2025-2026 school year.

*exact dates, TBD

2025-2026MSDFlow-ChartforHCP

Per RCW 28.A.185.050, Section 4, " Beginning November 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the superintendent of public instruction must make data publicly available that includes a comparison of the race, ethnicity, and low-income status of highly capable students compared to the same demographic groups in the general student population of each school district. Reporting must also include comparisons for students who are English language learners, have an individualized education program, have a 504 plan, are covered by provisions of the McKinney-Vento homeless assistance act, or are highly mobile."

2023-2024 MSD Highly Capable Data

Resources

If you have questions, please contact:

David Paratore

Chief Student Services Officer
paratored@monroe.wednet.edu
(360) 804-2600