Federal Way
Public Schools
Advanced Programs
Announcements
The annual Highly Capable Referral window will re-open December 1, 2023.
Highly Capable & Advanced Programs
Federal Way Public Schools provides multiple services and programs to advance the learning of our scholars. These include Highly Capable services Elementary through High School and our Advanced Programs in Middle through High School.
Highly Capable Services
Highly Capable Services are provided at each school site in collaboration between the teacher and school, the scholar and family, and the Highly Capable Program.
At the elementary level, services are provided in a cluster model where 3-6 scholar identified for Highly Capable services are clustered together in a homeroom. This allows identified scholars to work with both grade level and like-ability peers and so the teacher can provide individualized and small-group instruction as needed. Each identified scholar also has a Highly Capable Student Learning Plan outlining their academic goal for the year and the specific differentiated supports they will receive. Additionally, we perform universal screening at 2nd grade each year, where we review each scholar in the grade level for possible identification.
Advanced Programs
Middle school provides a transition from elementary to high school services with each building having an individual service model (from continuing cluster grouping to introducing advanced programming course options including International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge) while maintaining an accelerated math pathway available at each school.
At High School, each of our buildings provides advanced programming options such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge available to all scholars, including scholars identified for Highly Capable services.