Northshore School District – Highly Capable Services
This page is a simple, parent-friendly guide for families with elementary students (Kindergarten–Grade 5) living within Northshore School District boundaries, including public, private, and homeschool students.
It provides a simple overview of early learning support and elementary Highly Capable services, including general timelines, assessments, and how students are supported.
This page is for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the official Northshore School District Highly Capable Services page .
Northshore School District provides Highly Capable (HiCap) services for students who demonstrate advanced thinking, learning, and academic abilities.
Services are designed to provide different learning experiences, not simply more work.
In kindergarten and first grade, Northshore focuses on observing students’ learning potential rather than placing them into formal programs.
- Holistic Learners show early signs of advanced thinking or learning
- Students are placed on a watch list, not a formal program
- Families are notified in the spring
- All students receive grade-level instruction with differentiation
Formal Highly Capable services begin in Grade 2. All Grade 1 students participate in universal screening.
| Service Model | Grades | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated HiCap Cluster | 2–5 |
Small groups of highly capable students Differentiated instruction in reading and/or math Taught in neighborhood schools |
| Elementary Advanced Program (EAP) | 2–5 |
Advanced curriculum in reading and math Faster pace and deeper learning 1–2 grade levels above current grade |
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Referrals & Permission Forms | September – October |
| Universal Screening (Grades 1 & 5) | September – October |
| Additional Testing (if needed) | October – December |
| Eligibility Notifications | January – February |
| Services Begin | Following school year |
Exact dates may change each year. Families should monitor district communications.
| Grade | What Happens First | Who Moves Forward |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Referral & data review | May be placed on Holistic Learner watch list |
| Grade 1 | Naglieri Screener | 85th–94th percentile or strong academic data |
| Grades 2–4 | Referral required | 85th percentile+ on screener or academics |
| Grade 5 | Naglieri Screener | 85th percentile+ or strong SBA scores |
Meeting one criterion allows a student to move forward for review. Final decisions are based on multiple data points.
- NNAT (Naglieri): Non-verbal reasoning
- Iowa Assessments: Reading & math achievement
- SBA: State ELA & math scores (Grades 3–5)
No single assessment determines eligibility. Data is reviewed together to understand learning needs.
Northshore 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.
NNAT: Measures nonverbal reasoning and problem-solving skills using visual patterns and shapes, independent of language.
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 NNAT, English, and Math, including one grade above.
This page is a parent-friendly summary created for Elementary Explorer. It is not an official Northshore School District resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Northshore School District.
Identification processes, criteria, and timelines may change. Families should refer to Northshore School District’s official Highly Capable Services webpage for the most current information.
Northshore School District – Highly Capable Services (Official)