Eligibility & Admissions
Please note: The information presented on this page is culled from LAUSD websites, LAUSD staff and parents.
For official information regarding testing procedures please contact GATE@lausd.net . Additionally, questions regarding NHHS: HGM may be directed to the HG Magnet office by phone at 818-753-6213 or by emailing Kersten Peppermuller (HGM Aministrator) at kmp4366@lausd.net.
Applications to NOHO: HGM are made through https://echoices.lausd.net.
How to Apply
Eligible categories: “Highly Gifted” (HG) or “Highly Gifted Applicable” (HGA)
Students are eligible for HG Magnet schools if they
took an "intellectual assessment" (popularly called IQ test) conducted by an LAUSD psychologist (not teacher or private psychologist), and
scored in the 99.5th percentile or above.
This test is different from the OLSAT High Ability test given to every LAUSD 2nd grader by their teacher (qualifies for Gifted programs only).
Priority admission to HGM is given to students whose intellectual scores are in the 99.9th percentile, “Highly Gifted.” If there are openings in their grade level, students designated “Highly Gifted Applicable” (scoring in the 99.5%-99.8%) will be admitted, with priority based on Magnet points.
Charter and Private School Students
Students currently in any school are eligible for HGM if:
at some point, they were given an intellectual assessment test by an LAUSD psychologist and met the score requirements (see first section of this page), and
they currently reside in LAUSD boundaries.
Testing:
In order for a student to meet the criteria for the Highly Gifted Magnet, intellectual testing must be performed by an LAUSD GATE psychologist. Outside testing is not accepted.
IMPORTANT UPDATE 12/24
To ensure that all students who reside within LAUSD boundaries have access to all District GATE programs, the District will now accept Intellectual Ability referrals for students who are enrolled in non-district schools and wish to be considered for the Highly Gifted Magnet program. This pilot practice for the 2024-25 school year is effective immediately. (12/24)
The updated criteria for K-12 students to be eligible for GATE referral, assessment, and identification now includes students who reside within LAUSD boundaries, are enrolled in non-district schools, have applied to a Highly Gifted Magnet, and have not been assessed by LAUSD in the Intellectual Ability category.
The 2025-26 late Choices application process will open on Monday, February 3, 2025, at https://apply.lausd.net. Once a Highly Gifted Magnet application has been submitted via the Choices online application process, the parent/guardian must contact GATE@lausd.net to request directions to complete the referral for Intellectual Ability testing.
This information has been updated on the Gifted/Talented Programs website.
Previously, a student must have been enrolled in an LAUSD school or affiliated and authorized charter school before being able to qualify for a testing referral. For students transferring into LAUSD schools, outside testing results may be submitted to the school site when requesting a referral for intellectual testing.
Prior to the implementation of the new 12/24 pilot program, students considered Eligible for Gifted/Talented Identification Referral were only:
Students who are enrolled in Los Angeles Unified School District schools
Students who are enrolled in an independent charter school authorized by LAUSD
Charter School Fee-for Service Information:
Affiliated and authorized charter schools could request evaluations for identification of students through the Fee-for-Service process. Interested charter schools are to contact the Charter Schools Division for information regarding Fee-for-Service process. The Fee-for-Service form must be signed by the administrator before a referral can be submitted for students to be assessed.
Given the changes in district policy, we ask you to visit a district website for the most up to date information on testing protocols.
Information regarding testing can be found on: https://echoices.lausd.net
The GATE office at LAUSD welcomes inquiries from families with questions about gifted/talented identification, program options, etc. The best way for families to get in touch with their team is to email GATE@lausd.net.
You may also contact LAUSD GATE at 213-241-6500.
FAQs
My child is eligible. How do I enroll in HGM?
In order to attend any Magnet school, students apply through the eChoices Application. Applicants will be notified in April as to the initial status of their application. Many HGA applicants are waitlisted, but almost every year, everyone is eventually offered a spot.
Should you miss the eChoices application deadline, walk-in applications may be accepted in the HG Magnet office. Eligible students are then admitted based on available openings and a first come, first served basis.
Can I tour the HGM?
During Magnet applications season in fall, North Hollywood HGM offers daytime classroom tours and an evening Open House for prospective parents and students to visit our school. See tour dates and how to reserve. Once the school year has started, IF there are still seats available in your grade and you are eligible, you may contact the HGM office to request a tour.
How do I know whether my student is eligible?
If your student was identified HG or HGA, your school would give the results letter to your student to give to you. However, some people never receive the letter. Ask the Counselor or Gifted Coordinator at your student’s current school to look at your student’s MISIS record to see whether they are “Highly Gifted” (HG) or “Highly Gifted Applicable” (HGA).
Who gets the Intellectual Test?
Even though every LAUSD student takes the OLSAT test (qualifies for Gifted programs), few students get the Intellectual test. These are given to students who 1) are recommended by their school for further testing, or 2) scored very highly on the OLSAT (currently top 1%).
LAUSD students or parents may request an intellectual assessment through the GATE Coordinator at your school if they were not recommended by a teacher/admin. It would help to have supporting evidence that the student shows signs of high giftedness, such as very high academic achievements and test results, in or out of school. LAUSD does not accept private psychologist test for HG identification but private test report can be used as a supporting document in the request for LAUSD testing.