News

We are committed to ongoing, two-way communication. We want to know if you are getting the information you want and need. Help us meet your expectations for strong communication by taking a brief survey to give us your feedback.

Calling Future Kindergarteners! Get information and resources for the coming school year at a districtwide “Welcome to Kindergarten” Zoom event on June 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Are you interested in playing a sport in middle school next year? Don’t be left in the grandstands. You can register now!

Effective and clear communication is critical for the success of our students and schools. We are excited to announce that we are adopting a new form of school-to-home communication in Highline called ParentSquare. 

Similar to school districts across our region, we are facing a significant budget shortfall in the coming years due to declining enrollment, rising costs and the end of ESSER funds. Although we are grateful to our state legislators for some funding increases, the additional funding passed this session is far less than our expected expenditures. See a breakdown of the numbers. 

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. In light of recent events and an increased social climate of concern for safety, we want to share how we as a district communicate during and after safety incidents.

Let's celebrate our teachers all month long in May! 

Learn more about the curricula being considered for elementary and middle school science, secondary music, and math (pre-calculus and higher).  You’re invited to review curriculum materials and share your thoughts! 

Next fall, Faiza Shire’s son will start kindergarten at White Center Heights Elementary. She is particularly excited that he will be part of the inaugural class to participate in the school’s new Somali Language Enrichment program. 

This week staff advisory workgroups met to dig into our emerging strategic plan goals. Staff discussed what we are currently doing to meet our goals and what we could be doing. We anticipate the final goals will be brought to the Board for adoption later this spring. 

A lottery was held on March 1 to select students for our schools and programs that require an application. This includes CHOICE Academy, Big Picture Schools, Highline Virtual Academy, Highline Virtual Elementary, Maritime High School, Raisbeck Aviation High School (RAHS), the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the Waskowitz Environmental Leadership Service program.

It's time to celebrate the 2023 Gold Star Nominees! The Highline Schools Foundation announced this year's Gold Star Awards nominees. Winners will be revealed at the Gold Star BASH on Wednesday, March 8. 

Due to weather and road conditions, all schools are on a two-hour delay on [DATE]. Buses will stop at regular stops–two hours later than normal. 

White Center Heights Elementary School will launch a Somali Language Enrichment Program in kindergarten starting in the 2023-24 school year. The new enrichment program will accompany the school’s well-established dual language programs.

Do you know a child who will be 5 years old on or before August 31? Families can enroll their incoming kindergarten student for the 2023-24 school year now! 

Please read this message from Superintendent Ivan Duran about his listening tour and next steps on the strategic plan development. 

Interested in working in your community, for your community? Learn about current and future job opportunities, district culture, schedules, employee benefits and more at our in-person job fair on February 25. 

Do you know someone who has made a significant impact on our students and schools? Perhaps it’s a teacher, principal, counselor, bus driver, custodian or another staff member. Now is the time to nominate them for a 2023 Gold Star Award through the Highline Schools Foundation.

We are grateful to our families for being valued partners as we work together to educate students in Highline. One of our priorities is to support students in developing life skills. Over the next several weeks, students in grades 3-12 will be asked to reflect on their own skills.

Did you hear…the federal government distributed millions of dollars to schools to address COVID-related expenses. These are one-time funds to help schools through the challenges of the pandemic. One way we are using these funds is to improve air quality in all of our schools and to purchase cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Highline Virtual Elementary is an online option for students in kindergarten - 5th grade and provides engaging, innovating learning experiences. The school will be hosting an information session for interested families on January 12. 

Highline also offers Schools of Choice, a variety of school and program options, each with a specialized focus to meet student interest and need. The application window for secondary schools of choice is open now and runs through January 31. See information night details.

The 2022 bond is passing at an overwhelming 68.8 percent approval rate. Take a moment to savor this historic milestone by watching our "Thank You, Voters!" video featuring students saying "Thank you, Voters!" in three languages.

For many of our principals in Highline, education is a calling. Some were always drawn to the profession. Others found it later in life. Meet one of our principals and hear the story behind his why.