Very Good
#712 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 32% in state
Big Picture School
High School · Highline School District
440 S 186th St, Burien, WA 98148
Enrollment
238
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
238
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#712 of 2,228
In Burien
#3 of 11
public schools
In district
#8 of 34
Highline School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Big Picture School
High School in Burien · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Choice Academy
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Highline Home School Center
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Big Picture School
Big Picture School is a public high school in Burien, WA, part of Highline School District. Big Picture School serves approximately 238 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Picture School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #712 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Big Picture School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 5.8
- WA avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Big Picture School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Big Picture School — Students at Big Picture School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 37 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.
How Big Picture School Compares
See how Big Picture School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
440 S 186th St, Burien, WA 98148
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Picture School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHOICE Academy (rated 7.4/10, 0.1 miles away, in nearby Seattle), with a very similar rating. Another option is Maritime High School (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a very similar rating. Additionally, JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Burien, see our Burien schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 0.1 mi | — |
| North Hill Elementary Des Moines | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Maritime High School Des Moines | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Marvista Elementary Normandy Park | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Sylvester Middle School Burien | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| THREE TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Burien | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy Burien | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Highline High School Burien | 2.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Gregory Heights Elementary Burien | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| ST PHILOMENA SCHOOL Des Moines | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Madrona Elementary Seatac | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Mount Rainier High School Des Moines | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Seahurst Elementary School Burien | 2.7 mi | 4.5 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Burien | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Midway Elementary Des Moines | 2.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Bow Lake Elementary Seatac | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| McMicken Heights Elementary Seatac | 2.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Pacific Middle School Des Moines | 2.9 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98148 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,994
Median Home Value
$576,400
Median Rent
$1,837/mo
Population
10,399
College Educated
28.2%
Homeownership
50.3%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
34.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avanti High School Olympia, WA | 7.2 |
| Yakima Open Doors Yakima, WA | 7.2 |
| Discovery High School Camas, WA | 7.3 |
| Oroville Middle-High School Oroville, WA | 7.3 |
| Entiat Middle and High School Entiat, WA | 7.1 |
| Reardan Middle-Senior High School Reardan, WA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Picture School
What grades does Big Picture School serve?
Big Picture School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Big Picture School?
Big Picture School has an enrollment of approximately 238 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Picture School?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Picture School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Picture School rank in WA?
Big Picture School ranks #712 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Big Picture School's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Picture School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Big Picture School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Picture School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Big Picture School a charter school?
No, Big Picture School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Picture School a Title I school?
No, Big Picture School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Picture School?
51.3% of students at Big Picture School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 238
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.3%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.5%
- Phone
- (206) 631-7700
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #8 of 34
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