Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Highline School District

Washington · Public School District
43
Schools
18,048
Students
$22,200
Per-Pupil Spend
+55% nat'l
69.6%
Free Lunch Rate
+17pp vs nat'l
82.1%
Graduation Rate
-4.4pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Highline School District is a public school district in Washington serving 18,048 students across 43 schools. It includes 18 elementary, 5 middle, 15 high schools. Its graduation rate of 82.1% is below the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $22,200 is above average for a US public school district. 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 43/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (43)
Middle Schools5 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Cascade Middle School06–08683
Chinook Middle School06–08599
Glacier Middle School06–08855
Pacific Middle School06–08651
Sylvester Middle School06–08619
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$22,200+55% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
56%
30%
State
55.7%
Local (property tax)
29.7%
Federal
14.6%

State funding accounts for 56% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
43
Schools
18,048
Students
70%
Free Lunch
$22K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate82.1%
Opportunity Score43/100
StateWashington →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
High per-student investment
Spends $22,200 per pupil — 55% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 43 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
70% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Highline School District?
Highline School District has 43 public schools, serving a total of 18,048 students.
What is the graduation rate for Highline School District?
The graduation rate is 82.1%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Highline School District spend per student?
Highline School District spends $22,200 per pupil — 55% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Highline School District?
70% of students in Highline School District qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Highline School District?
No, Highline School District does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Highline School District serve?
Highline School District serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Highline School District?
The median opportunity score across schools in Highline School District is 43/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.