Tony Byrd, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, ByrdT@edmonds.wednet.edu
Nancy Gilbertson, Program Assistant, GilbertsonN@edmonds.wednet.edu

It is the policy of the Edmonds School District to provide optimum learning opportunities for all students including those who are highly capable or gifted. The Highly Capable Program is intended to provide support for students identified as requiring services beyond the normal learning environment to be successful. Highly capable students are identified following guidelines from the Washington State Academic Code and Edmonds School Board Policy. They exhibit unusual cognitive ability; they often demonstrate advanced levels of academic achievement and/or display unusual creative behavior. Different pace, complexity, and instruction are necessary for identified highly capable students to reach their full potential.

The Edmonds Teaching and Learning Division, which includes the Office of Highly Capable Programs, works with the District Administrative Team and the K-12 Highly Capable Student Steering Committee to develop and provide a continuum of services for identified highly capable students. The K-12 Highly Capable Student Steering Committee is composed of parents, teachers, students, administrators and other representatives.