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Needs Improvement

#2166 of 2,228 schools in WA

Highline High School

High School · Highline School District

225 S 152nd St, Burien, WA 98148

Enrollment

1,408

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

3.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,166 of 2,228

In Burien

#11 of 11

public schools

In district

#32 of 34

Highline School District

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Highline High School

3.3/10

High School in Burien · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy

4.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Three Tree Montessori School

7.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highline High School

Highline High School is a public high school in Burien, WA, part of Highline School District. Highline High School serves approximately 1,408 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Highline High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,166 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Highline High School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.8
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Highline High School runs 20.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

51% of students at Highline High 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 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.8% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.3% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness3.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,594
Chronic Absenteeism51.3%

Highline High School — Students at Highline High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 61.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
32%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
60%
2022
ELA
53%
2024
Math
10.8%
ELA
40.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How Highline High School Compares

See how Highline High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
3th percentile in WA
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
20
9 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
9.2% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
9 boys'·11 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

225 S 152nd St, Burien, WA 98148

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highline High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CHOICE Academy (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Seattle), which scores notably higher. Another option is Big Picture School (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Innovation Heights Academy (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burien, see our Burien schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy Burien 0.5 mi 4.8
THREE TREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Burien 0.5 mi 7.4
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien 0.8 mi 6.6
Sylvester Middle School Burien 0.8 mi 5.1
GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien 1.1 mi 6.1
Cedarhurst Elementary Burien 1.3 mi 3.5
Hazel Valley Elementary Burien 1.4 mi 4.0
Seahurst Elementary School Burien 1.2 mi 4.5
Gregory Heights Elementary Burien 1.3 mi 7.9
ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Burien 1.8 mi 6.2
CHOICE Academy Seattle 2.0 mi 7.4
Highline Home School Center Burien 2.0 mi
Big Picture School Burien 2.0 mi 7.2
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Burien 1.4 mi 6.3
Highline Open Doors 1418 Burien 2.1 mi 3.8
Glacier Middle School Seatac 1.6 mi 3.3
Evergreen High School Seattle 2.4 mi 5.3
Innovation Heights Academy Burien 2.6 mi 6.8
Cascade Middle School Seattle 2.6 mi 4.5
Hilltop Elementary Seattle 2.3 mi 3.5

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
Heritage High School Vancouver, WA 3.3
Shadle Park High School Spokane, WA 3.3
Dr. Dolores Silas High School Tacoma, WA 3.2
Othello High School Othello, WA 3.2
Mark Morris High School Longview, WA 3.4
Selah High School Selah, WA 3.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highline High School

What grades does Highline High School serve?

Highline High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highline High School?

Highline High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,408 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highline High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highline High School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highline High School rank in WA?

Highline High School ranks #2,166 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Highline High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highline High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Highline High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highline High School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Highline High School a charter school?

No, Highline High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highline High School a Title I school?

No, Highline High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highline High School?

69.7% of students at Highline High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,408
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.3%

District

Highline School District
District Enrollment
17,823
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,594
District Rank
#32 of 34

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