Highly Capable (HiCap)

Mission:

The mission of Highly Capable (HiCap) Programs is to provide services that acknowledge and address students’ diverse advanced learning needs.  

Definition of students identified as highly capable:
Highly capable students are students in grades K-12 who demonstrate readiness and/or potential to benefit from advanced grade level curriculum in one or more subject areas and require accelerated learning and enhanced instruction beyond the general education curriculum to achieve academic growth.  Highly capable students may have advanced learning abilities in general intellectual aptitude, in all academic subjects, or in one academic subject area such as reading or mathematics.

Highly capable students are found in all demographic groups; however, not all students have had equitable access to the accelerated learning and enhanced instruction needed to develop their academic skills.  For highly capable students, access to accelerated learning and enhanced instruction is access to a basic education.   (WAC 392-170-016 and WAC 392-170-035)

Referral and Identification Process
Opportunities for students with advanced learning needs are available K-12 in a variety of academic domains. We emphasize curriculum that can be appropriately differentiated in pace and complexity. Programming can offer regular opportunities for students to work with other students of similar (advanced) academic abilities.

All students in the Wenatchee School District are automatically considered for identification for HiCap services through annual reviews of data that include multiple years and multiple measures. We review information for every student every year. 

There are focused universal screening at two grade levels. 
In the spring, all 2nd-grade students are universally screened for measures of cognitive development and reasoning ability.  Also in the spring, the Smarter Balanced Assessment will be used to universally screen all 5th-grade students.

Referral is not necessary for consideration.
If you have additional evidence you would like considered in the identification process, you may refer a student and include this information on the referral form for consideration for Highly Capable services.