Looking for Issaquah School District’s Highly Capable or gifted program? This parent-friendly guide summarizes the referral window, testing information, eligibility, and service options. Students must meet the district’s current residency and enrollment requirements.

It provides a simple overview of eligibility, general timelines, testing, and available Highly Capable services.

This page is for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the official Issaquah School District Highly Capable website .

Issaquah School District’s Highly Capable (Hi-Cap) Program provides enriched and advanced learning opportunities for students who demonstrate advanced reasoning, academic ability, and/or creativity.

• Students who currently reside in and attend Issaquah School District
• Students who are referred through the district’s current referral process
• Students demonstrating advanced thinking, learning, or creativity

Gifted learners are not simply high achievers. Identification focuses on how students think and learn.

The referral window and testing schedule can change each year. Check the official district page for instructions, forms, and updates before making plans.

View the official 2026–2027 referral information →

Issaquah School District uses multiple measures across reasoning, achievement, and creativity. No single assessment determines eligibility.

Decisions are based on overall patterns of advanced performance.

Students may receive enrichment within their classroom or more intensive advanced instruction depending on individual learning needs.

Issaquah School District uses multiple measures to identify students for Highly Capable services. Students are often expected to demonstrate thinking and learning behaviors at least one grade level above their current grade.

CogAT: Measures students’ reasoning abilities in verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal areas rather than learned academic content.

English / Reading: Emphasizes reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and the ability to clearly explain ideas and reasoning.

Math: Focuses on mathematical reasoning, number sense, and explaining thinking using multiple strategies.

Select your child’s current grade to view complete preparation materials for CogAT, English, and Math, including one grade above.

Measures creativity, originality, and flexible thinking through open-ended tasks.

TTCT does not involve traditional test preparation. Families can support students by providing opportunities for creative expression and open-ended problem solving.

The assessment is designed to capture natural creativity; there are no right or wrong answers.

Official Issaquah Highly Capable program information and contact details →