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Seattle Public Schools/Departments/Advanced Learning/Transfer Student Eligibility Process

Transfer Student Eligibility Process

Not sure which process below your student qualifies to participate in? Reach out to the Advanced Learning Customer Care Team at advlearn@seattleschools.org for guidance.

Advanced Learning Transfer Student Eligibility Process

SPS no longer uses outside cognitive testing or any assessments performed outside a classroom setting, to determine eligibility, unless present in a student’s Special Education evaluation that resulted in an IEP.

Instead, eligibility decisions are based on the Multidisciplinary Selection Committee’s (MSC) review of multiple kinds of evidence or data. The MSC team includes trained educators and professional staff.

New to SPS, Currently in Highly Capable or Gifted Program (Closing on May 16, 2025)

If your student is transferring from another public school Highly Capable (HC) or gifted program:

  1. Students must first be enrolled in the district. Learn how to enroll at SPS.
  2. Submit the following required documentation for evaluation to advlearn2@seattleschools.org:
    • SPS Highly Capable Transfer Request : Pre-existing eligibility in a Public School Highly Capable or Gifted program required
    • Proof of enrollment in a public school HC or gifted program 
    • Test results used to place the student in the program
    • Most current achievement scores (math and reading)
  3. The Multidisciplinary Selection Committee (MSC) will review the documentation and make a determination regarding eligibility for Advanced Learner or Highly Capable services.

Note: Students who were historically eligible for SPS Advanced Learning services, are outside of the one year retention window, and returning to SPS without a Highly Capable eligibility will participate in the Student Transfer process that will begin in March 2024.

New to SPS, Not Currently in Highly Capable or Gifted Program

There is a transfer student eligibility process for 2nd-11th grade students who are new to SPS for the 2024-25 school year (first time registering with the district) and have not participated in a public school Highly Capable or gifted program.

Applications are accepted between March 3-April 11, 2025.

Note: If families are unable to submit documents during the March 1-April 12 submission window, SPS refers every 1st-8th grade student to participate in the Universal Screening review. Learn more about the Universal Screening.

How to Apply

Does your student have Standardized Test Scores (administered by a public or private school) available?

If you have any other standardized/achievement assessment data, please contact advlearn2@settleschools.org.

Standardized Test Scores available

Please follow these steps for your student to be considered in the eligibility process: 

  1. Submit a Parent/Guardian eligibility form online. (available March 3-April 11, 2025)
  2. After submission, families/teaching staff need to provide required academic documents. The documents must be shared within 10 business days of the eligibility form submission date to advlearn2@seattleschools.org. The Advanced Learning department will contact families via email to request required documents.
  3. Required Documents include:

At SPS we honor the brilliance of every student. This is why the Advanced Learning department also considers academic assessment data evaluated during the special consideration process that results in Special Education service eligibility and language acquisition data for students receiving multilingual services.

Standardized Test Scores not available

Students who are new to SPS and do not have current or historical standardized test scores administered by a private or public school are referred to the Universal Screening in their first year at SPS.

Please follow these steps:

  1. Enroll in SPS.
  2. Attend school and participate in SPS assessments to start gathering data.
  3. Participate in Universal Screening for 1st-8th grade students.

Timeline for 2024-25 Transfer Student Eligibility Process

SPS does not provide eligibility decisions to non-SPS students. SPS enrollment is required before participation in this process. There is no flexibility regarding the following deadlines.

Please note: Applications will not be reviewed or processed if families are unable to submit required documents during the March 3-April 26 submission window.

Applications Open

March 3-April 11, 2025

Please note: Applications will not be reviewed or processed if families are unable to submit required documents during the March 3-April 26 submission window.

Families can expect to receive an eligibility decision no later than Friday, May 9. Decisions will be sent to the email provided on the Parent/Guardian Eligibility Form.

Eligibility Decision

Friday, May 9, 2025

Families can expect to receive an eligibility decision no later than Friday, May 9. Decisions will be sent to the email provided on the Parent/Guardian Eligibility Form.

Families can appeal eligibility decisions. The appeal must be submitted within 10 days of the date on the eligibility letter.

Submit Appeal

Within 10 days of the date on the eligibility letter.

Families can appeal eligibility decisions. The appeal must be submitted within 10 days of the date on the eligibility letter.

Appeal Decision

Friday, May 30, 2025