News

Student conferences offer a chance to understand your child’s progress and build a strong connection with their teacher. We share 10 helpful questions to guide your conversation—from academic growth to social well-being—so you leave with a clearer picture and ways to support learning at home.

Highline educators stepped away from their daily routine to focus on what matters most: helping every student feel valued, supported and fully included. On November 3, teachers, paraeducators and school leaders spent the day learning together about what students need to feel a strong sense of belonging at school and to be successful in their learning.  

We continue our work to develop a balanced budget for the 2026-27 school year. As shared in October, Highline will need to reduce spending by $8 million to maintain long-term financial stability. Department leaders are reviewing budgets now. We will also identify districtwide efficiencies and gather input from staff, families, students and community members. Monthly updates will be shared at School Board meetings throughout the year.

This school year, students in all grades are learning from updated health lessons that help them build healthy habits for body and mind. Check out an overview of what is being taught in elementary and secondary classrooms. Sexual health remains taught separately through FLASH. 

We are standardizing visitor check-in procedures across all Highline schools to support safety and belonging. All visitors are now consistently verified via intercom and must sign in and wear a badge. Families can help by not holding doors open. Read more about this update.

We’re celebrating the work of school psychologists who help Highline students learn, grow, and thrive every day.

Highline High School students are getting a head start on their futures through an innovative partnership with Eastern Washington University. These skills are essential in today’s digital world. Along the way, students gain confidence and experiences that prepare them for college, careers and life after graduation. 

Starting November 1, SNAP benefits will pause, which may affect some families. We are sharing food assistance resources, including local food banks and support services. All enrolled Highline students can still receive free school meals daily. For more help, contact your child’s school directly.

Graduation dates for 2026 have been announced. 

We are redesigning secondary schools to make learning more relevant and rigorous. Guided by student, family, and educator input, high schools are launching career pathways, expanding dual credit, increasing IB access, and offering hands-on learning through new schedules and partnerships. This work continues in 2025–26 to support every student’s success.

The 2025 levy would continue funding for programs and services that are not fully funded by the state. These include college and career readiness staff, counselors, social workers, transportation, safety staff and day-to-day operations. 

Highline uses Standards-Based Grading (SBG) as part of our instructional approach. This grading system focuses on measuring each student's progress toward clearly defined learning goals, based on the state standards set by Washington State. Learn how SBG helps support meaningful learning for every student.

Future Ready Fest brought more than 400 students and families together to explore pathways, connect with community partners, and get real help planning for life after high school.

King County Elections mailed ballots to registered voters last week. Ballots can be returned by mail (no stamp needed) or placed in an official ballot drop box. 

Highline principals lead with care, purpose, and a deep belief in every student. In honor of National Principals Month, we’re highlighting a few of the many school leaders making an impact across our district.

From October 20 to 24, Highline schools will mark Digital Citizenship Week, guiding students in safe, responsible, and respectful technology use. Led by teacher librarians, the week highlights online safety, digital footprints, screen balance, and kindness. Families are encouraged to join in and support digital awareness at home.

This November, voters in Highline will see a school levy measure on their ballots. This is a replacement levy, which renews funding from our expiring levy. It is not a new tax.

At Tyee High School, biology teacher Satprit Kaur helps students strengthen reading, writing and complex vocabulary through science. Students read scientific texts, write about their lab results, and use scientific vocabulary to explain their thinking and work.  

Highline is making literacy a top priority in every classroom. From building vocabulary in science lessons to reading in two languages, students are getting the support they need. With national reading scores down, we are acting now—training teachers, using data, and helping students grow into confident readers.
 

In Highline, we know strong literacy skills are essential for student success. That’s why Literacy and Language Development is one of our “Big 4” priorities for the 2025–26 school year—alongside Secondary Redesign, Inclusionary Practices and Student Support Systems (MTSS).  

Custodians play a vital role in our schools every day. They arrive early to open buildings, prepare classrooms, and make sure learning spaces are ready for students and staff.

This fall, Highline voters will see Highline’s Prop. 1 on their ballots. The levy funds programs, services and staff—filling the gap between what the state provides and what is needed to operate schools.  

Teachers at our secondary schools have created detailed course syllabi to support student learning. Each syllabus outlines course expectations, content descriptions, and the academic standards students will master by the end of the term. Access the course syllabi directory, organized by school, subject and then teacher name.  

In continued support of our strategic plan goals, we will maintain our system-wide focus on Highline's “Big 4” priorities:  Secondary Redesign, Literacy and Language Development, Inclusionary Practices and Student Support Systems. Take a look at where we’ve been and what's ahead!