At Evergreen High School, students are building skills beyond the classroom. They’re learning how to manage their time, ask for help and take ownership of their learning.
A new structure called WIN Time, short for What I Need, helps make that possible.
WIN Time is build into 40-minute advisory periods on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It gives students dedicated time during the school day to get what they need most. For some, that means extra academic support, and for others it means enrichment, like career exploration or going deeper in their learning.
Creating Time for Support and Extension
For many students, getting extra help meant finding time outside the school day.
“Before WIN Time, we did not have enough time or space to work with students outside of class time,” said teacher Bethany Tate. “Since COVID, fewer students have been staying after school. WIN time was born out of staff noticing that and trying to build time into the school day.”
By embedding that time into the school day, Evergreen is reducing barriers and making support more accessible.
Support, Choice and Confidence
Students choose how they spend their time during WIN Time, whether that’s getting academic support on areas that need additional help or participating in interest-based sessions like career exploration.
“Students check their grades and attendance and then use WIN time to make choices based on what they need,” added teacher Wennie Hong.
“Students are practicing the executive functioning skill of figuring out what they need to support their goals,” said Bethany.
For students, that flexibility matters.
“If you need extra support or want to explore different interests, WIN Time is there to help you,” said student Noel.
Students also highlighted how WIN Time creates more access to one-on-one support.
“Before, we had to come after school to get help,” said student Quan. “WIN time is so helpful. You can get help right away.”
Impact in the Classroom
WIN Time is already helping shift student confidence and engagement.
“I have improved relationships with students based on the time we get together during WIN,” said Bethany. “Kids gain more confidence. You can see them attempting more work and helping others.”
She shared one example of a student who rarely engaged in class but, after attending WIN Time, completed a full assignment independently.
“That was a turning point,” Bethany said. “Now he shows up more ready to try.”
“It helps me get better grades,” added student Ingrid. “I can understand my teacher more and get more time to improve.”
A Step Toward Future Ready
WIN Time is one example of how Evergreen is putting Highline’s priorities into practice.
Across Highline, we are working to make sure every student gets the right support at the right time. That starts with strong teaching for all students and continues with timely support or extension based on what students need. WIN Time helps make that possible by creating a regular space in the school day for students to get help, build skills or take on new challenges.
That strengthens Highline’s student support system by creating a regular time for students to get additional academic or behavioral support, while also giving students opportunities to extend their learning.
WIN Time also reflects Highline’s school redesign work. Over the last two years, secondary schools have been rethinking how time, instruction and opportunities are structured so learning is more relevant, responsive and connected to students’ futures.
At Evergreen, that looks like using advisory time in a more intentional way so students can access support, explore interests and take a more active role in their learning.
Beyond academics, students are building skills they will use long after high school—like time management, self-advocacy, setting goals and decision making.
“It gave me the opportunity to go to the Future Center and learn about financial aid,” said student Noel. “It helps you whenever you need it.”
