Highly Capable is Washington’s term for gifted education services. NNAT® stands for Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, a visual reasoning assessment that uses shapes and patterns instead of reading passages, vocabulary, or math computation.
For a fuller overview of the assessment itself, see our guide to what the NNAT® measures.
What Tacoma says about screening
Tacoma says its Highly Capable office provides universal screening for all 2nd and 5th grade students. For 2nd graders, the district uses the NNAT3. Families receive information about screening and may decline by submitting the district opt-out form.
| Test basics | What Tacoma parents should know |
|---|---|
| Test | NNAT3 |
| Timing | Fall, with spring makeup screening for absent 2nd graders |
| Length | About 60 minutes total, including 30 minutes for the actual screening |
| Format | Group setting at school with a qualified proctor |
| Results | Mailed within approximately 60 school days |
For a parent-friendly overview of the visual reasoning format, see our guide to the four NNAT® question types.
Elementary schools in Tacoma Public Schools
In most districts, a gifted-screening window applies across the district, while each school handles practical details inside that window.
Tacoma elementary and preschool schools include:
- Arlington Elementary
- Birney Elementary
- Blix Elementary
- Boze Elementary
- Browns Point Elementary
- Bryant Montessori
- Crescent Heights Elementary
- DeLong Elementary
- Downing Elementary
- Edison Elementary
- Fawcett Elementary
- Fern Hill Elementary
- Franklin Elementary
- Geiger Montessori
- Grant Center for the Expressive Arts
- Jefferson Elementary
- Larchmont Elementary
- Lister Elementary
- Lowell Elementary
- Lyon Elementary
- Manitou Park Elementary
- Mann Elementary
- Northeast Tacoma Elementary
- Point Defiance Elementary
- Reed Elementary
- Roosevelt Elementary
- Sheridan Elementary
- Sherman Elementary
- Skyline Elementary
- Stafford Elementary
- Stanley Elementary
- Tacoma Online
- Travis Elementary
- Wainwright Intermediate
- Washington Elementary
- Whitman Elementary
- Whittier Elementary
Questions Tacoma parents should ask
- What exact date is my child’s class taking the NNAT3?
- What is the opt-out deadline if a family does not want screening?
- What happens if my child is absent during the fall screening?
- When should our family expect results?
- If my child is eligible, what Highly Capable services are available this year and in later grades?
Our broader questions to ask your school guide can help you turn those into one clear conversation with the office or program contact.
Start with a calm first look.
GateBuddy’s free NNAT® practice introduces the question styles and explains how to think through them.
Try five questions free