Children have access to incredible opportunities while going to school in Burien. Our schools are inclusive and offer a wide range of programs designed for students of all abilities.
The Highline School District, based in Burien, enjoys strong public support and consists of 18 elementary schools, five middle schools, and four comprehensive high schools. Students and families bring rich cultural and linguistic resources to the Highline schools with 99 languages being spoken at home including Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Amharic, Punjabi, Arabic, and Khmer. Dual language enrollment is an option, as is participating in various cultural programs.
A number of the schools have been rebuilt over the past decade resulting in new and more functional facilities. Highline's high school graduation rate has been on a steady rise for the past seven years with an increase of 21 percentage points since 2013.
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Highline Public Schools owns and operates the Highline Performing Arts Center, an 800-seat, professionally staffed, state-of-the-art, rental theater facility. The PAC hosts many of the District’s band, choir, drama performances, and commencement ceremonies and is available to the community to rent.
Also available are Choice Schools — including the Maritime High School with its marine technology lab and the Puget Sound Skills Center with its new health sciences building, alternative education options, and Charter Schools. An International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is available to a select group of students.
Dual enrollment opportunities are available for students to earn college credit while in high school, and a majority of students complete at least one course.
Private schools include Kennedy Catholic High School, St. Bernadette Parish School, St. Francis of Assisi School, Burien Adventist School, Three Tree Montessori School, West Seattle Montessori School, and Creative Minds Montessori.
“At Burien, and at our heritage museum, we are who we are, as a people, and a community. We have more things in common than differences, and the city of Burien is resounding with the voice of inclusion, not just racial but touching across a wide spectrum. That is just how progressive this community is, willing to take in everything and embrace everyone.”
— Nancy Salguero McKay, Highline Heritage Museum Executive Director
Higher EducationNearby Highline Community College and South Seattle College both offer a wide variety of educational and technical programs for students seeking select bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and professional certificates.
