Needs Improvement
#2129 of 2,225 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
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,408
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burien
#10 of 10
public schools
Washington high schools
#449 of 476
In district
#29 of 34
Highline School District
About Highline High School
Highline High School serves 1,408 students in grades 9-12 in Burien, Washington, operating as a regular public school in King County. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, providing a substantial high school experience in the heart of this suburban community. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1189 out of 2261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 48th percentile statewide.
Academically, Highline High School shows room for growth, with an academic score of 5.9 out of 10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 53 percent of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and support. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income reaches $81,431 and median home values sit at $508,800.
About 25 percent of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.6 percent. Highline High School sits in the 98148 ZIP code area, home to over 10,600 residents, and benefits from its location in a large suburban setting that offers students access to both community resources and urban opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Highline High School is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Highline High School — Students at Highline High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.
How Highline High School Compares
See how Highline High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 10.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 40.3% (2024).
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 6.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Seattle), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Big Picture School (rated 6.4/10, 2.0 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 | 4.5 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| GLENDALE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Burien | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Cedarhurst Elementary Burien | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Hazel Valley Elementary Burien | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Seahurst Elementary School Burien | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Gregory Heights Elementary Burien | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| ST BERNADETTE SCHOOL Burien | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| CHOICE Academy Seattle | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Highline Home School Center Burien | 2.0 mi | — |
| Big Picture School Burien | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Burien | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Highline Open Doors 1418 Burien | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Glacier Middle School Seatac | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Evergreen High School Seattle | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Innovation Heights Academy Burien | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Cascade Middle School Seattle | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Hilltop Elementary Seattle | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highline High School has a median household income of $86,994. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $576,400, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Orting High School Orting, WA | 3.7 |
| Snohomish High School Snohomish, WA | 3.8 |
| Mountlake Terrace High School Mtlk Terrace, WA | 3.6 |
| Prosser High School Prosser, WA | 3.6 |
| Steilacoom High Steilacoom, WA | 3.9 |
| Bremerton High School Bremerton, WA | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #2129 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Highline High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highline High School has a composite rating of 3.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highline High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highline High School has 15.9% math proficiency and 48.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 56 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 56 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,853/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Burien). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (206) 631-6700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highline School District- District Enrollment
- 17,823
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,594
- District Rank
- #29 of 34
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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