Lake Washington School District Highly Capable Testing

What Parents Need to Know Now

If you’re trying to understand how your child qualifies for the Highly Capable program in Lake Washington School District, you’re right to start early. The process has changed—and it’s more competitive and data-driven than ever.

Gone are the days of a single test deciding everything. LWSD now uses a “body of evidence” approach, which means multiple data points matter—and families who understand the system in advance have a real advantage.

How Highly Capable Identification Works in Lake Washington School District (Big Changes!)

Washington State law now requires districts to use multiple criteria when identifying highly capable students. That includes:

• Universal screeners

• Additional assessments (if needed)

• District academic data from various points in time

All of this information (not just a test score) is reviewed by a Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC).

Why This Matters for Parents

Assessment scores still play a significant role, but they’re now evaluated alongside classroom performance and progress-monitoring data.

What Scores Typically Look Like for Each Service Level

While LWSD reviews the whole body of evidence, these score ranges give families helpful context:

Classroom-Based Highly Capable Services

• Academic data at or above the 95th percentile in reading and/or math

• Strong performance on progress-monitoring tools (like FastBridge)

Pull-Out Highly Capable Services

• Typically score in the top 2–5% nationally

Self-Contained Services (Full-Time Quest / Middle School Quest)

• Academic performance at or above the 98th percentile on three or more standardized reading/math assessments

• 98th percentile or higher on the LWSD-administered CogAT

• Uses data from the previous school year and the recent fall/winter

This is a high bar, and preparation matters.

CogAT in Lake Washington School District: What’s Different This Year

This year, not all students will take the CogAT.

Instead:

• The MPC first reviews academic data for referred students and universal screening grades (2nd and 5th)

• The CogAT is given only if more data is needed

• Some students may take only certain CogAT sections

• Some may take the full CogAT

• Some may not take it at all

• Students can still be identified without taking the CogAT

This makes CogAT supplemental, not automatic—but when it’s used, performance matters.

What Academic Data Is Reviewed?

The MPC reviews data from:

• FastBridge (key progress-monitoring tool taken by all students)

• Reading and math assessments

• Prior and current-year academic data

• Depending on grade: SBA, WIDA, WaKIDS, or other district measures

Reviews happen continuously from November through February, and final identification decisions are shared in March.

How TestingMom Helps (Before Decisions Are Made)

TestingMom helps families prepare for the exact skills the Lake Washington School District evaluates, without over-testing or unnecessary stress.

Online Practice for LWSD Students

TestingMom provides online practice questions aligned to:

• CogAT (verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning)

• FastBridge-style reading and math skills

These aren’t random worksheets. They’re designed to build:

• Reasoning skills

• Problem-solving confidence

• Familiarity with question formats

• Accuracy under pressure

One-on-One Highly Capable Tutoring

TestingMom also offers 1-on-1 tutoring for Highly Capable preparation. Tutors help students:

• Strengthen reasoning and advanced math/reading skills

• Prepare for CogAT sections if they’re administered

• Improve FastBridge-related performance

• Show what they know clearly and confidently

Families often combine online practice + tutoring to support the whole body of evidence LWSD reviews.

What Parents Should Do Right Now

If your child is in—or approaching—grades 2 or 5 in LWSD:

• Don’t wait for March decisions

• Focus on strong academic data now

• Support both FastBridge skills and CogAT-style reasoning

• Understand that every data point counts

Highly Capable identification in LWSD is no longer about a single test—it’s about consistent, advanced performance over time.

TestingMom helps families prepare strategically, early, and the right way.

Testingmom.com has helped thousands of parents qualify their children for the Lake Washington Highly Capable programs. Start preparing now and help your child reach their full academic potential.

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