January 12, 2026

2025-26 Highly Capable District Plan

October 6, 2025

Study Session on HiCap Identification and Placement

On October 6th, 2025, the Accelerated Programs Office gave an update to the LWSD School Board. The intent of the Study Session was “to update the Board on recent state law changes and the district’s comprehensive, equity-focused process for identifying and qualifying students for Highly Capable Programs in elementary and middle school, including how multiple data sources and community feedback are shaping practice.” (Study Session Outline)

The presentation gives and overview and insight into the criteria involved in identification and placement decisions making through the Multidisciplinary Placement Committee (MPC). The Accelerated Programs Offices shares how it uses multiple data points, student portfolios, and new pathways in order to identify students for highly capable services. (Board Policy Connection: OE-3, OE-10, OE-14)

September 12, 2025

Highly Capable referral window – Fall 2025

LWSD announced the new referral window for Highly Capable (HiCap) service identification in the 2025/26 school year. Referrals can be made from September 8, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. and runs through September 23, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Referrals are made through Skyward. 

Students in grades 2 and 5 will automatically be screened (universal screening). For all other grades (K, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8), families must opt in to have students considered for hicap service evaluation.

Please visit the district website  for more details regarding services.

February 10, 2025

Information Session on New HiCap Service Models (2)

January 28, 2025

Information Session on New HiCap Service Models (1)

January 22, 2025

LWSD - HiCap Service Model Changes Announced

LWSD announced changes to the hicap service models which will be effective starting the 2025/26 school year. The changes will affect all students, hicap as well as those in general education, but are most impactful for those who currently receive hicap pull-out services (K5HC math and/or K5HC reading or Pull-Out Quest).

  • K5HC has been cancelled. Starting in the new school year, students with a K5HC designation (math only, literacy only and math+literacy) will receive hicap services in the classroom, which are called Classroom-Based Services, or CBS. CBS will be delivered by the general education classroom teacher through differentiation.

  • POQ has been cancelled. All students in grades 2-5 carrying a Pull-Out Quest designation will be moved into Full-Time Quest services with the beginning of the new school year. POQ students who are currently in 5th grade will start MSQ in the fall.

  • FTQ and MSQ remain as is for now. Both Full-Time Quest as well as Middle School Quest will continue without changes to the service model in the 2025/26 school year.

Please find the official district information on the Accelerated Programs website and on their FAQ to the changes.

Please note: All district information is shared here for your convenience and reported to the best of our knowledge. Inaccuracies may occur - please always check information on the district website.