Tyee, Highline Virtual Academy, Highline Virtual Elementary and New Start to Relocate for September
Several schools will be relocated for September 2023. The moves support new construction and site upgrades.
As part of the 2022 bond to construct new schools, Tyee High School students will attend school at the Olympic Interim Site in Des Moines for two years starting in September 2023. To accommodate this move, Highline will be making some additional school site changes.
Highline Virtual Academy and Highline Virtual Elementary schools will relocate to space in the former Southern Heights Elementary building. Currently, teachers from both online schools teach from classrooms at Olympic, and the building is used for student and family in-person events and meetings. The move will make space at the Olympic site for Tyee.
New Start High School will relocate to the former Southern Heights Elementary building as well, starting September 2023. This will provide improved accommodations for New Start students and staff.
Southern Heights Elementary School closed at the end of the 2021-22 school year due to shrinking enrollment. Southern Heights is in the best condition of the surplus district sites available for school relocation.
Maritime High School will continue at the Olympic Interim Site and share the space with Tyee High School starting in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why select the Southern Heights campus? Wasn’t it closed?
Southern Heights was closed in June 2022 due to low enrollment. Students now attend nearby schools with newer buildings. Among the surplus sites available for housing the virtual schools, Southern Heights is the most feasible option and in the best condition. The 2022 bond includes some funding for critical needs and site improvements, including providing space for Highline virtual schools.
Teachers at Highline Virtual Academy and Virtual Elementary School teach from the school location although their space needs are less than for in-person classrooms. The virtual schools also have special in-person events and meetings to accommodate.
Will Maritime High School remain at Olympic?
Maritime High School will continue at the Olympic Interim Site and share the space with Tyee High School starting in September. The Olympic Interim Site previously housed all of Highline High School and will have enough space to accommodate the current enrollment of both Maritime and Tyee. An ongoing, long-term effort to locate a new space for Maritime High School will continue, led by Maritime partner organizations and school sponsors.
What will happen to the Salmon Creek site?
After the New Start High School move, the Salmon Creek site may be used for storage and possible office space. The volunteer-led, community Shark Garden located on the east side of the site will remain on the site.