Students in Katie Jacobs’ fourth grade class at Franklin Elementary worked on building hydraulic powered claws in class during the month of May. This end of the year STEM project led to seeing life-sized machines up close and in person.
Accelerated Programs

The application for highly capable services is now closed.
The highly capable in-person testing window closes on December 17. Online students who met the screening criteria will receive an email the first week of January with assessment information for January exams.
All of the data will be reviewed by the Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee and families will be notified of eligibility via email in mid-February.
Video: LWSD Accelerated Programs
Lake Washington School District provides accelerated academic programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. These programs are designed to meet the learning styles and needs of students with exceptional intellectual, academic, and creative abilities.
Announcements for the 2021-2022 school year
Eligibility infographics can be found below, as well as under the "Referral Process" tab. Cognitive and academic assessments will take place between October 4, 2021 through December 17, 2021 for LWSD students attending in-person school. Assessments will occur during the school day at your child's assigned school. Private/home school students will follow the same timeline, and assessments will take place either at the assigned LWSD school or LWSD Resource Center.
- Updated testing process and timeline for 2021-22
- Information on assessment timelines and for students attending Online School will be updated when available.
- Updates for all applicants will be sent via email.
Students who meet the screening criteria will receive communication from the Accelerated Programs Department about next steps in the eligibility process.
The district uses multiple objective criteria to identify students who are among the most highly capable. Private testing results are not accepted.
- Early Entrance to Kindergarten
- Kindergarten Highly Capable Services
- K5HC - Grades K-5
- First - Fifth Grade Highly Capable Services
- K5HC - Grades K-5
- Pull-out Quest - Grades 2-5
- Full-time Quest - Grades 2-5
- Middle School Highly Capable Services
- Middle School Quest - Grades 6-8
- High School Highly Capable Services
Contact Accelerated Programs
Phone: 425-936-1238
Fax: 425-936-1325
Department email: quest@lwsd.org
Website: lwsd.org/HCP
Accelerated Programs Staff
Becky Kadrmas, Director
Laura Morgan, Administrative Supervisor
Amanda Olson, Administrative Professional
Allyson Dowden, Administrative Professional
Britt Galen, Accelerated Programs Psychologist
Crystal Batlle, Instructional Specialist
Erin Fleshman, Instructional Specialist
Ryan Smith: Instructional Specialist
Mailing address:
Lake Washington School District
Accelerated Programs Office
P.O. Box 97039
Redmond, WA 98073
Location:
Lake Washington School District Resource Center
16250 N.E. 74th Street
Redmond, WA 98052
For a complete list of Accelerated Programs staff, please visit the Highly Capable Programs Staff Directory.
Gifted Education Advisory Council (GEAC)
Gifted Education Advisory Council is a parent-led committee that supports the gifted education program in Lake Washington School District.