Highly Capable (Gifted)

Private School and Home-Based families interested in having their students participate in CogAT Screening in our schools, please visit Kindergarten Screening, 9/18 - 10/20 to register.

 All ISD and Pre-Registered Private School and Home-Based Kindergarten students will participate in i-Ready and i-Ready Math for universal eligibility testing.  Incoming Kindergarten students do not need to register for CogAT and TTCT, as this will occur in class in November.  Please visit the Refer a Student section for more information. 

Sign up to receive the weekly bulletin for the district and your neighborhood school which will include updates kindergarten screening cycle: Bulletin Sign-Up Link

 

Understanding the Highly Capable Score Report 

Recording: Understanding the Highly Capable Program Score Report

Slide Deck: Understanding the Highly Capable Program Score Report

Questions and Answers from Family Zoom on May 1, 2023

NOTE:

• 2023-2024 in class testing will occur between March 6-18 (check with your school for more information).  Test results will be posted at the conclusion of the vendor and district scoring process and the Multi-Disciplinary Committee meeting. Your patience in the process is appreciated. 
• Student results will be uploaded to Family Access mid-May for services to start 2024-2025 school year.
• Private School Families will be asked to share their interest by completing the registration form by 12/8/2023.
• Results will be emailed to Private School Families.

• Eligibility thresholds have been consistent since the matrix score was adopted in 2018.  Last year, the introduction of a new assessment (i-Ready), the district re-calibrated the eligibility threshold.

Information for Families of 2nd Grade Students Eligible for HiCap Services 

My student is eligible. What do I do now?

• Complete the Permission to Place form.  (Info on how to transfer a sibling is below in the MERLIN quick info section.)

My student is not eligible.  When is the next time I can refer?

• Families of referred students not eligible at this time, may refer their students in the fall the 4th grade year.  All referrals will be screened and students whose SBA scores are in the upper 5% of all Issaquah School District students in their grade cohort for eligibility testing will advance to testing.

How do I appeal?

• The Issaquah School District, in compliance with the Washington State rules for Highly Capable Programs (WAC 392-170-076) allows appeals for eligibility decisions based on certain specific criteria.

Quick Overview of Program Services

SAGE Math:

• Students receive services through a one-time per week, two hour, pull-out program at the neighborhood school.

SAGE Reading:

• Students receive services through differentiated instruction in the classroom and through a one-time per week, one-hour, pull-out program at the neighborhood school.

SAGE Reading and Math:

• In reading, students receive services through differentiated instruction in the classroom and through a one-time per week, one hour, pull-out program at the neighborhood school. In math, students receive services through a one-time per week, two hour, pull-out program at the neighborhood school. 

MERLIN: 

• The MERLIN Program is a self-contained district program. Students are offered placement at Apollo or Endeavour based on pre-determined boundaries.
• Students who live in the following attendance areas: Apollo, Briarwood, Cedar Trails, Clark, Cougar Ridge, Grand Ridge, Issaquah Valley, Maple Hills, Newcastle, and Sunset will attend Apollo. 
• Students who live in the following attendance areas: Cascade Ridge, Challenger, Creekside, Discovery, Endeavour, and Sunny Hills will attend Endeavour.
• Attendance areas for MERLIN are subject to change based on patterns of enrollment. 
• Parents are responsible for transporting MERLIN students to Apollo or Endeavour.
• Private school and Home-Based students must complete the Permission to Place AND enroll in the district at the neighborhood school.  Once enrolled the registrar will transfer the student to the assigned MERLIN site.
• If families want to transfer siblings to the MERLIN site, contact the Debbie Courage at 425-837-7010 and complete the In District Transfer Request for assistance.
• Families may decline MERLIN placement. These students would remain at the neighborhood school and participate in SAGE in the areas of eligibility.  A student may return to MERLIN at any time and will be placed where space is available at either Endeavour or Apollo with the preference to the original assigned location, if space is available. Returning to the same MERLIN site is not guaranteed.  Placement is a district decision.
• Carpool contact lists are managed by the Highly Capable Program Office.  Please call the office with questions about carpools.

Pre-registered families will be notified by email no later than end of day Monday, September 25th regarding the results of the Multi-Disciplinary Testing decisions. 

Please refer to the New Student Referral testing cycle for students enrolling during the 2023-2024 school year.