Highline High School is a public high school in Burien, Washington, United States, located about 3.5 miles from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
Serving 1,408 students in grades 9-12, Highline High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Washington for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20% (which is lower than the Washington state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 53% (which is equal to the Washington state average of 53%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Washington state level of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Washington state average of 52% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,408 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 79% (Btm 50% in WA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 53% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Highline High School's student population of 1,408 students has grown by 23% over five school years.
The teacher population of 69 teachers has grown by 32% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,408 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
69 teachers
Year Founded
1924
Colors
Purple, Gold
School Rankings
Highline High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,113 schools in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Highline High School is 0.66, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1428 out of 2113 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
53%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
49%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
16:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
16%
9%
Hispanic
55%
26%
Black
8%
5%
White
11%
48%
Hawaiian
3%
2%
Two or more races
6%
9%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
79%
84%
Eligible for Free Lunch
70%
49%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Piracy
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Highline High School's ranking?
Highline High School is ranked #1428 out of 2,113 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Washington.
What schools are Highline High School often compared to?
Highline High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Evergreen High School, Foster Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% WA state average), while 53% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 53% WA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Highline High School?
The graduation rate of Highline High School is 79%, which is lower than the Washington state average of 84%.
How many students attend Highline High School?
1,408 students attend Highline High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
55% of Highline High School students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Asian, 11% of students are White, 8% of students are Black, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hawaiian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Highline High School?
Highline High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Washington state average of 16:1.
What grades does Highline High School offer ?
Highline High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Highline High School part of?
Highline High School is part of Highline School District.
School Reviews
Review Highline High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.