Highly Capable Programs (HiCap)

The mission of Highly Capable Programs is to provide services that acknowledge and address students’ diverse advanced learning needs.  Highly capable students are defined as 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 a student's general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivity within a specific domain. These students are present not only in the general populace, but are present within all protected classes according to chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW. The WSD is guided by principles (National Association for Gifted Children) that acknowledge that giftedness is dynamic and is constantly developing and giftedness is found among students from a variety of backgrounds.