Highly Capable Services

Our priority is to ensure that students identified for Highly Capable Services receive enriching, challenging, and meaningful learning experiences tailored to their unique strengths.

Highly Capable Services

We offer highly capable services (HiCAP) for students who demonstrate both aptitude and achievement in verbal (Language and Literacy) and/or quantitative (Math) skill areas. We are committed to meeting the advanced academic and social-emotional needs of students in grades K-12 by providing an accelerated, rigorous curriculum in an encouraging and supportive environment. Teachers challenge students to reach their full potential daily by:

Expanding academic attainment and intellectual skills;
Stimulating intellectual curiosity, independence, and responsibility;
Developing a positive attitude toward self and others; and
Encouraging originality and creativity

Self-Contained Highly Capable Program (grades 4-5)*

For 2025-26, we will offer a self-contained, multi-age 4th/5th grade HiCAP classroom at Kitsap Lake Elementary. Identified students from across the district are transported to Kitsap Lake for this program.

New! Pilot program for highly capable students in third grade*

We’re excited to introduce a new opportunity for 2025-26: a pilot clustered classroom model for incoming 3rd grade students. In this class, identified HiCAP students will learn alongside same-aged peers from the Kitsap Lake community, with intentional support and enrichment designed to meet the needs of advanced learners. Identified students from across the district are transported to Kitsap Lake for this program.

*Enrollment for both of these programs is closed for 2025-26.

Questions? Need help?

Contact our Teaching for Learning Team by email or call 360-473-1018.

Exciting changes are coming to our Highly Capable Services

In 2025-26, the District partnered with an expert from ESD 113 to conduct a district-wide review of our Highly Capable Services. We engaged families, staff, and students in focus groups and gathered input from an advisory team of parents and educators. Our goal: to reflect on what’s working and identify areas where we can do better.

Key recommendations from the review include:

Continuing to provide a variety of services designed specifically to meet the unique learning needs of each highly capable student.
Enhancing how we support highly capable students directly in their neighborhood schools.
Investing in specialized training for all of our teachers and highly capable coordinators at each school, empowering them with the latest strategies to challenge and inspire our highly capable learners.
Making our identification and assessment process more efficient and equitable.

Looking ahead, we are exploring new approaches to nurture emerging talents in our youngest learners (kindergarten through 2nd grade), providing early enrichment that helps to spark their curiosity and potential. The 3rd grade cluster model launching at Kitsap Lake in 2025-26 will serve as a pilot for how we can better support students within their school communities, while still honoring the distinct learning needs of highly capable learners.

Highly Capable Identification & Referrals

There is no “classic” description of a “highly capable” child. They are as diverse in their characteristics as the “average” child, which is why our identification process looks at multiple data points before qualifying a student.
Students from grades other than 2nd and 5th can be referred by a teacher, parent/guardian, community member or themselves for highly capable service consideration on an annual basis within our referral window by filling out the application form. The application form may be submitted by email to Wendy Bender (wendy.bender@bremertonschools.org), or delivered to Wendy Bender at Bremerton School District, 134 Marion Ave N, Bremerton WA 98312. Application forms must be completed and submitted within the open referral window for a student to be considered for highly capable identification. For the 2025-26 school year, referral applications must be received between December 1 - March 31st. Applications will not be accepted after March 31st at 4 p.m.

The Multidisciplinary Identification and Placement Committee (MIPC) will review the body of evidence for each student referred. The body of evidence for referrals will be reviewed, but not all referrals will be eligible for further testing.

Referral form (English)

Referral Form (Espanol)
All students in grades 2 & 5 will be screened for highly capable service identification. The screening process happens in the winter term each school year, and then the Multidisciplinary Identification and Placement Committee (MIPC) reviews the Universal Screening data and makes determinations which are shared with families by May 15th.

2nd Grade Universal Screening, the CogAT Screening Form:
- Measures a student's reasoning and problem-solving skills in verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal areas.
- Consists of about 14 questions from each of the three subtests in the full CogAT.
- Is available for online testing, which allows for quick data turnaround. Students who complete the screener may then complete the remaining subtests online to provide a complete abilities profile as part of a multiple data point identification process.
- Students identified through screening may undergo a more comprehensive assessment battery and/or data review:
  - Achievement Tests: Standardized tests in reading and math to assess current academic performance
  - Creativity Measures: Assessments that look for divergent thinking and innovative problem-solving skills
  - Portfolio Review: Collection of student work samples showcasing their abilities and growth
  - Observation and Rating Scales: Qualitative data from families and/or teachers regarding student behaviors and capabilities
5th Grade Universal Screening uses a "multiple measure data process" for highly capable identification. This process uses a variety of assessment tools and data sources to identify students who would benefit from highly capable services, rather than relying solely on one test, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of a student's abilities across different domains, including cognitive abilities, achievement, creativity, and motivation. This screening team meets in the early spring to examine this variety of assessment data and other data sources to identify students who would benefit from highly capable services.
Parents/legal guardians have the right to appeal the Multidisciplinary Identification and Placement Committee’s decision. Parents are encouraged to discuss the results with their school principal before starting the appeal process. Individuals appealing the selection committee’s decision must submit the request in writing requesting a review of their selection/placement decision. The written request must include reasons for the appeal and, to support reconsideration, provide additional evidence of significantly advanced cognitive or academic levels and/or outstanding intellectual, academic, or creative abilities.

Parents/legal guardians must submit the written request and supporting evidence to the Superintendent at 134 Marion Avenue N., Bremerton, WA 98312 within ten (10) school days of the Multidisciplinary Identification and Placement Committee’s decision notification. The Superintendent or Superintendent's designee will review the student’s file, assessment profile data, and additional evidence provided in the request for appeal. The decision of the Superintendent or designee may include:
- Upholding the original decision of the MPIC;
- Reversing the decision of the MPIC;
A decision will be made by the Superintendent or designee within ten (10) school days after receipt of written request for reconsideration and will notify the parent/legal guardian in writing. The Superintendent or Superintendent's designee's decision is final.
Parents can opt-out of screening for highly capable services by completing this form.

Highly Capable

Highly Capable Services