Northshore School District Highly Capable Gifted Program
What Parents Need to Know (Before Deadlines Hit)
If you’re trying to get your child into the Highly Capable (HiCap) Program in Northshore School District, timing and preparation matter more than most families realize.
Northshore’s identification process is detailed, multi-step, and highly competitive—and missing a deadline or walking in unprepared can mean waiting an entire year.
Let’s break it down clearly.
First Things First: Referral & Permission (This Is Critical)
Any student who does not already have a HiCap designation—or a student who wants to qualify in a second subject—must be referred.
Referrals open in August
Referrals close in early October
Referral and permission to test are now combined into one form
No referral + no permission = no testing.
How Northshore Identifies Highly Capable Students
Northshore uses a two-step process:
Universal Screening
Assessment (if criteria are met)
The district considers multiple data points, not just a single score. This includes:
Cognitive ability tests (like NNAT)
Academic achievement tests (like IOWA Reading & Math)
There is no quota. Students qualify based on performance—not comparisons to classmates.
Universal Screening: Who Is Screened Automatically?
Grades 1 and 5 are universally screened each Fall
All other grades must be referred to participate
Even if your child is universally screened, parental permission is still required for Step 2 (Assessment).
Tests Used by Northshore (This Is What to Prepare For)
NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test)
Often used during screening
Measures nonverbal reasoning, not academics
Great for identifying students with strong problem-solving skills—even advanced thinkers who don’t test well verbally
–> All first graders now take a Naglieri Quantitative Screener, and first-grade math has shifted away from Iowa Math.
Iowa Assessments (IOWA)
Used in Reading and Math (except first-grade math, as noted above)
Given one grade level above the student’s current grade
If a student is already HiCap-qualified in one subject, they only test in the other
To move to Iowa testing, students typically need:
85th percentile or higher on the Screener or i-Ready
OR current HiCap qualification in another subject
High performers on SBA (95th percentile+) may be exempt from Iowa testing.
Grade-by-Grade Reality Check (Short Version)
K–1: Holistic learner watch list → formal HiCap starts in grade 2
Grades 2–7: Referral + screening + Iowa Assessments
Grades 8–11: No testing; portfolio/appeal review only
High School: No HiCap testing; advanced courses are self-selected
Once qualified, students do not need to retake the test to maintain their HiCap status.
How TestingMom Helps (Before Testing Happens)
TestingMom helps families prepare strategically—not with random worksheets, but with tools that match what Northshore actually uses.
Online Practice for Northshore HiCap Tests
TestingMom offers online practice questions aligned to:
NNAT-style nonverbal reasoning
IOWA Reading and Math (above-grade-level skills)
This helps students:
Understand question formats before the test day
Improve reasoning speed and accuracy
Avoid common mistakes that cost points
One-on-One HiCap Tutoring
TestingMom also offers 1-on-1 tutoring for Highly Capable prep. Tutors help students:
Strengthen nonverbal reasoning (NNAT)
Build confidence with advanced reading and math (IOWA)
Learn test strategies that matter under time pressure
Show what they know clearly—without panic
Families often combine self-paced practice + tutoring for the strongest results.
What Parents Should Do Right Now
If your child is in the Northshore School District and may qualify for HiCap:
Check August–October deadlines on the District webpage
Submit referral + permission early
Prepare for the NNAT and Iowa tests in advance
Don’t wait to see if scores “might be good enough”
Highly Capable identification is competitive—but preparation makes the difference.
TestingMom helps families walk in ready.
Start preparing your child now with our 100 free questions:
See if TestingMom.com supports your child’s test by your school district. If you don't see your child's school district listed, check with us! We have practice for other tests as well.
Tell us about your experiences
5 Responses
Hi
Please guide on how to prepare the child for wa kids assessment.
Thanks
Hi Parul, please email us at help@testingmom.com and we can help guide you to help your child prepared for the WA kids assessment.
Hello
I have your membership but i am not able to find SBA practice test for 2nd grade kind. I am interested to get prepare for my kid for HiCap in NSD
Could you please guide me where to find preparation kit for HiCap 2nd grade kind
Thanks
Hello,
Please email us at Help@testingmom.com so we can help you find all the resources for your child’s gifted and talented test in Northshore School District.
Please guide us how we can take help from testing mom for WaKIDS .