I am a 7th grader at a public school in Seattle. Since 1st grade, I have been a part of the HCC or Highly Capable Cohort in Seattle Public Schools. (I must point out that I find the name to be inaccurate, as it suggests that the students in our community are more capable then others.) This cohort helps find ways for children who feel unchallenged in school to learn at the level that they feel most comfortable at.

Denise Juneau is the superintendent of SPS (Seattle Public Schools). She has found that the diversity of the HCC program is very minimal. There are almost no people of color in the program. She believes that this is unfair, and the only way to remedy it is to completely take away this option for all students.

While it is true that the amount of diversity is disappointing, the real reason for this is the way the program is advertised. It isn’t. It is hard to find information about the subject, except for in a few places. There are tests to see if a child is fit for the program. These tests used to be held on campus, during the school day, so that no one needed to take time off work to transport their kids there. Now they are held in only a few schools, on a Saturday, when many people are working.

The only way to solve the problem of minimal diversity in the HCC program is making it more accessible, not getting rid of it for all the children who benefit so greatly. Join me in keeping Superintendent Juneau from denying children the right to learn at the best level for them!