Students who are receiving Highly Capable Monitoring Services will be grouped in a cluster classroom. Cluster grouping is when a small group of students eligible for Highly Capable Monitoring Services are grouped together in the general education class to receive targeted differentiation. Classroom teachers will provide Highly Capable Monitoring Services and collect data to demonstrate a need for services during their Kindergarten through second grade.

Once the referral window closes, an eligibility committee meets to review all the information collected for each referred student. Families will receive a letter informing them of their child’s eligibility for Highly Capable Monitoring Services by early June. Families may choose to accept or decline services. Family permission is required for services to start in the upcoming year.

All 3rd-grade students are universally considered for Highly Capable Services based on their individual i.Ready reading and math data.

Students who achieve 85% or above in reading and/or math will automatically be referred to the test for Highly Capable Services. However, students who fall outside of this range and are showing potential may still be referred for services by completing the referral form.

After testing has been completed, an eligibility committee will meet to review all of the referral information. Eligibility decisions will be made by the end of March. Eligibility letters will be mailed to the family's home address listed in Skyward. Parent permission is required for services to begin in the upcoming year.

HiCap Program Service Models

Cluster Classroom: In this service model, eligible students are served in a general education classroom through a cluster grouping service model. Cluster grouping is when a small group of students eligible for Highly Capable services are grouped in the general education class. Their classroom teacher uses various methods to provide learning opportunities in their area(s) of strength. 

Self-Contained Classroom: In this service model, eligible students are served in a Self-Contained Classroom, which is a class made up of all students eligible for Highly Capable services. The curriculum has been modified to provide in-depth learning experiences through advanced math and literacy instruction. 

Teachers, parents, or guardians may refer students by completing an online referral form. After the referral window closes and all the forms are processed, referred students will be assigned a testing day to take the complete CogAT during the last week of March.

Referral Forms

 After testing has been completed, a selection committee meets to make eligibility and placement decisions for the following year. The committee carefully considers each referred student’s assessment portfolio. Parents/guardians will receive a letter informing them of their child’s eligibility and placement. They may choose to accept or decline services. Parent/guardian permission is required for services to begin.

Students in grades 5 and 6 have the following opportunities for challenge and enrichment:

• Advanced literacy classes that encompass both language arts and social studies
• Accelerated math classes 
• Enrichment and after-school clubs

Students not eligible for Highly Capable Program services, but who demonstrate academic strength in literacy, math, or both, may have the option for advanced classes. In early spring, all fourth and fifth-grade students’ assessment data is analyzed. Students scoring well above grade level on i-Ready testing and a level 4 on the Smarter Balanced Assessment are recommended for advanced classes. Teacher and parent input, as well as recent grades, are also considered.

At any time, a parent, guardian, or teacher may refer a student who demonstrates characteristics of a highly capable learner by contacting a school counselor. The school counselor will work with the district’s HiCap coordinator to facilitate the referral.

Counselor Contact Information  

• Jenny Butler        jbutler@ohsd.net    360-279-5507
• Jennifer DePry    jdeprey@ohsd.net   360-279-5506

In grades 7 and 8, students can pursue a variety of options to meet their unique intellectual, social, and emotional needs.

• Accelerated Math Classes
• Honors Classes: English Language Arts (grade 7) and social studies (grade 8)
• Enrichment (e.g., National Junior Honor Society, academic competitions, and robotics) 

Students not eligible for Highly Capable Program services, but who demonstrate academic strength in literacy, math, or both, may have the option for advanced classes. In early spring, all students’ assessment data is analyzed. Students scoring well above grade level on i-Ready testing and a level 4 on the Smarter Balanced Assessment are recommended for advanced classes. Teacher and parent input, as well as recent grades, are also considered.