Summary of Screening and Assessment Process
Screening
There are two stages to qualify for the Highly Capable program: screening and assessment. In fall and winter 2025-2026, all 1st grade and 5th grade students who are not already qualified for HiCap (dual qualified or single) will be given the screener in their classrooms by their classroom teacher. In addition, all students in grades 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 who are new to Northshore for this school year or referred for screening will also be given the screener in a small group during the school day by HiCap proctors or school personnel. If your student is in grades 2, 3, 4, 6, or 7, and not new to Northshore, they would need to be referred in order to participate in screening.
Students in grades 2-7 with a prior spring SBA score of 85th percentile or above, or a prior Naglieri of 85th percentile or above, or an active single HiCap designation, do not need to take the screener, but they do need parent permission to move on to the assessment phase.
The actual test taken for the screener step has been updated for some grades in 2025. Grades 1-5 will take the MHS nonverbal test. Grades 6 and 7 will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3).
Assessment
Students who score 85th percentile or higher on the MHS Naglieri screener, the SBA (Smarter Balanced Assessment), or an iReady assessment will then be given the Iowa assessments in reading and math. The Iowa will be administered to small groups at their school during the school day by HiCap proctors or school personnel. (First graders testing for math will be given the Naglieri Quantitative, also called MHS Quantitative, instead of the Iowa Math assessment.)
Note: first grade students (only) need to score 85-94 percentile on the Naglieri screener to move forward to assessments. If they score 95+ percentile on the Naglieri screener, they will not move forward to the assessment phase of the HiCap eligibility process, but rather, will be granted dual HiCap designations without the need to take the assessments
The district needs parent or guardian permission before students can participate in assessment. If you referred your child for screening, the referral/permission form gives permission for assessment also. If you did NOT refer your child for screening, you’ll need to give the district permission to assess. You can fill this out at any time so that it’s taken care of.
Automatic Designation (No Assessment Needed)
First graders who scored in the 95th+ percentile on the Naglieri screener will be given automatic designation in one or both subjects and do not need to take the assessment. Older students who scored in the 95th+ percentile or the prior spring’s SBA will be given automatic designation in that content area and do not need to take the assessment.
Middle and High School Considerations
Students in grades 8-11 may request a data review of their test scores for consideration for a HiCap Designation. These students with an SBA or other similar scores 95% or higher may be offered a HiCap designation in that subject. All advanced and AP courses at the high school level are self-select. Students do not need a HiCap designation to enroll in these courses.
The district website has a timeline range of all of these dates for the 2025-26 school year.
The district website has more details on the process, and specific info on Screening and Assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What if my child is already HiCap qualified in one subject?
A: Students who are already HiCap qualified in one subject can take the Iowa assessment in the other subject if permission is provided.
Q: How do I prepare my child for these tests? Does the district provide test prep materials?
A: No. These tests are not meant to be studied for. Encourage your child to do their best on any test or school work that they are assigned! The test will be on your child’s device or a similar one, and they are used to using these devices in school. A fully charged device will help test day go more smoothly. Questions are multiple choice, and the format is very intuitive. If your student has an IEP or 504, their accommodations or supports will be in place for testing.
Q: What day will my child take their tests?
A: Because the HiCap Office works to give schools as much flexibility as possible, they cannot publicize the testing dates. If you contact your school’s office they may be able to tell you when your school is scheduled for testing. If you have a 1st or 5th grader taking the screener, your child’s teacher may be able to tell you when they plan to administer it. But keep in mind that teachers and schools need flexibility to respond to the needs of students, so plans sometimes have to change.
Q: What does my student need for the test?
A: Students take their tests on their school-provided Chromebook or iPad, or a loaner device. A fully charged device will help test day go more smoothly. Headphones are not needed.
Q: Is there a time limit on the tests?
A: Yes, test sessions are timed. Students are allotted 30-35 minutes for each test, depending on the test and their grade.. Most students finish well within the time given, especially the elementary students.
Q: What if my student is absent on their test day?
A: There are makeup days for both the screener and assessment tests scheduled with each school. These are typically scheduled in January. The HiCap Office does their very best to make sure that every child who needs to take a test has the opportunity to do so. If you’re planning travel, try to avoid a lengthy trip that will have your student out of school for all of November-January, because being absent for the whole testing window does make it difficult to get a child scheduled to test.
Q: My school had a power outage/snow day/technical issue/etc. on test day. Now what?
A: Don’t worry if something disrupted your school’s testing day. The HiCap office will schedule another day and will make sure students get a chance to complete their tests. You will not get a personalized update in a case like this because the HiCap Office has limited manpower, but they will always get the test rescheduled.
Q: My student did well on the screener, but didn’t take the assessment, why not?
A: If you have a 1st grader who scored at or above the 95th percentile on the screener, they automatically receive a HiCap math and reading designation without taking the assessment step.
Q: I thought my student would take the screener but they didn’t, why not?
A: If your student scored 85th percentile or higher on iReady (for grade 2 and 3) or the SBA (for grades 4-7), they would move to the assessments without taking the screener. Also, if your student is HiCap qualified in one area, they will automatically take the assessment in the other area (if you give permission) without taking the screener.
Q: Why do 1st graders take the Naglieri Quantitative (MHS Quantitative) instead of the Iowa Math assessment?
A: The Naglieri Quantitative is less cumbersome to administer to 1st graders and does a good job of testing math aptitude without relying on a student’s verbal ability or previous knowledge of specific terminology.
Q: My child scored in Level 4 on their SBA, does that mean they are automatically qualified for HiCap?
A: Students who score 85th percentile or higher on the SBA will skip the screener and be given the Iowa assessments. Students who scored in the 95th+ percentile on the SBA will be given automatic designation in one or both subjects and do not need to take the Iowa. Both of these numbers are the percentile on the test and do not correspond with the level on the SBA report.
Q: If my child qualifies for HiCap will they have to change schools?
A: Possibly. A few schools do not offer HiCap services, and these students are offered placement at a different school, with transportation provided. However, you can choose whether to accept that placement in the spring.
Q: If my child receives a HiCap designation, does it begin right away?
A: No. A child who receives a HiCap designation this school year is qualified to receive services for the 2026-27 school year. If this includes a change in class or school, that will begin fall of 2026. No change will be made to your child’s education for this school year.
Q: If my child already qualified for HiCap do they need to test again?
A: Students keep their HiCap qualification and services for their entire time in Northshore. They do not need to retest. They only exit services if families make that decision for them (or if a student leaves NSD for more than 2 years or exits out of HiCap services for more than 2 years).
Q: My student didn’t receive a HiCap designation. Can they test again?
A: Any child through grade 7 can test again during fall and winter of next school year.
Q: This is a lot of information! What do I as a parent need to do here?
A: Not much! Refer your child if you have a grade 2, 3, 4, 6, or 7 child who you want tested. Give the HiCap department permission to assess your child, so that if your child passes the screener the department can give the assessment. (The referral and permission form are the same form.) Please use the correct student ID number! You can find it in ParentVUE under student info, or the office at your child’s school can help. Select the checkbox to send yourself a copy of the form, so that you can remember whether you’ve completed it.
In the spring, if your child receives a dual designation (both reading and math) that would require them to change schools and you want them to accept that designation, fill out that form when it comes. This only applies to families at schools that do NOT offer Integrated Cluster or EAP HiCap services.
Q: I still have questions, who can I contact?
A: Contact the HiCap department at hicap@nsd.org. Remember that they receive a lot of emails, especially around testing time, so be patient! They will get back to you.
