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Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

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Social-Emotional Learning

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Highline’s SEL instruction is aligned with state Social-Emotional Learning Standards

Research shows that when students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social skills, academic learning accelerates and student behaviors improve.

Our schools support students in developing life skills related to five core areas:

  • Self-awareness
  • Social awareness
  • Relationship-building skills
  • Self-management
  • Responsible decision-making. 

Families as Social-Emotional Learning Experts

Families are students' first and lifelong teachers. Families and communities have been developing and fostering social-emotional skills in children for generations.

Research in the learning sciences has solidly validated the deep impacts of these skills and practices on learning. We integrate social-emotional learning in classrooms in partnership with our families. 

Here is one way we have sought input from families about our social-emotional learning practices 

We welcome your input, wisdom, and perspectives to help us co-construct our social-emotional learning (SEL) supports. Please connect with us via email. 

A Comprehensive Approach

We use complementary strategies and structures to support social-emotional learning in Highline, including:

  • PBIS: A school-wide approach to creating and sustaining positive teaching and learning environments
  • RULER: An approach to teaching the skills of emotional intelligence:
  • Restorative Practices: A process that encourages accountability, healing and repair when conflict arises.