The Highly Gifted Magnet (HGM) is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District's Gifted and Talented program, designed for students of extraordinary intelligence whose needs are not met by normal Gifted programs. The purpose is to cluster students of similar capabilities with teachers who can challenge them with greater academic and intellectual rigor while meeting their social and emotional needs. These relatively small programs are housed on larger campuses. In an LA Times report that separated Magnet test scores from their host schools, HGMs consistently had the highest standardized test scores of all LAUSD schools.
Eligibility to most HGMs (except Multnomah) is restricted to students who test at least in the 99.5th percentile on an intellectual assessment conducted by an LAUSD psychologist (equivalent to IQ of 140+). Priority is given to students with 99.9%, officially "Highly Gifted" by LAUSD definition (IQ 145+). If there are openings remaining, students with 99.5%-99.8% (considered "Highly Gifted Applicable") can be admitted. Priority within the applicable group is not based on IQ score but rather on Magnet points. IQ testing and eligibility is determined by the LAUSD's GATE (Gifted and Talented) office. Parents may request an IQ test by contacting the GATE Coordinator at their LAUSD school. As of 2010, only students currently enrolled in LAUSD schools may be administered an IQ test by an LAUSD psychologist.
Beginning in 2011, all second graders were given the OLSAT, an "ability test" (not IQ) which may qualify students for regular Gifted/High Ability programs but NOT for Highly Gifted programs. If parents believe the OLSAT does not adequately reflect their child's intellectual capacity or that they need the higher challenge of a Highly Gifted program, they can still request an IQ/intellectual assessment by contacting the GATE Coordinator at their school.
Admission is usually through the CHOICES/Magnet applications, which are due each December for admission the following September. Eligible students may also enroll during the school year if the HGM has openings. To do this, parents must contact the Coordinator at the HGM school. School bus transportation is available for students who a certain distance from campus.
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While based on the campus of the much larger North Hollywood High School, a campus with an inclusive size of more than 3,000 students, the 300-student HGM is considered for administrative purposes separate from the resident school.
In 2009, 45% of Seniors became National Merit Scholarship Finalists.