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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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Schools of Choice

Shape your tomorrow by choosing your path today. Whether through maritime studies, aerospace exploration, virtual learning, or your neighborhood school—you have choices. Explore educational options through Highline’s Schools and Programs of Choice. 

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Our schools and programs of choice include: 

  • Virtual Program at Seahurst
  • Big Picture Schools
  • CHOICE Academy
  • Highline Virtual Academy
  • Maritime High School
  • Puget Sound Skills Center 
  • Raisbeck Aviation High School 
  • The International Baccalaureate Programme at Mount Rainier High School 
  • Innovation Heights Academy 
  • WELS: Waskowitz Environmental Leadership Service at Tyee High School

Applications are posted on each school's website. Students must submit a complete application during the application window. All completed applications will be processed in accordance with the admission process for schools requiring an application.

Application Window

The application window to attend in the 2024-25 school year for most schools and programs is October 2, 2023 to January 31, 2024 (closes at 11:00 p.m.). Please learn more and apply at the links below.

Elementary Program

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Virtual Program at Seahurst

Applications are open to incoming K through 5th-grade students.

The Highline Virtual Program at Seahurst is an all-online elementary school that provides engaging, innovative and community-centered learning experiences. It offers an inclusive environment that nurtures independence and empowers students to thrive in an ever-changing digital world. 

Learn more and apply

Secondary Schools

Student in class

Big Picture Schools

Applications are open to incoming 6th through 12th-grade students.

Big Picture starts with your interests and builds the whole curriculum around that. You’ll create your own learning plan, and most of your learning will happen through projects. You’ll work closely with a small advisory group. Pursue internships in real world settings related to your interests.

Learn more and apply

student in science

CHOICE Academy

Applications are open to incoming  6th through 12th-grade students.

CHOICE Academy provides a small, welcoming learning environment with rigorous and relevant curriculum in a family-style school setting. The school offers traditional instruction in the morning with opportunities for off-site, independently-developed electives in the afternoon.

Learn more and apply

Highline Virtual Academy

Applications are open to incoming 6th through 12th-grade students.

Highline Virtual Academy is an all remote school. Students who thrive in independent, online learning are good candidates. Staff build relationships and engage students in social-emotional support with students with one-on-one experiences.

Learn more and apply

student reading

Innovation Heights Academy

Applications are open to incoming 9th through 12th-grade students.

Innovation Heights Academy emphasizes self-discovery, life balance, and accelerated learning toward individual goals. They operate on a half-day model with two-hour daily instructions focused on project-based and cross-curricular learning blocks. 

Learn more and apply

Maritime High School

Applications are open to incoming 9th, and 10th-grade students. (Serves 9-12)

Maritime High School is a new small high school that opened in September 2021. The school connects students to project-based learning centered on the environment, marine science and maritime careers open doors to college.

Learn more and apply

students cooking

Puget Sound Skills Center

Applications are open to 10th and 11th grade students. (Serves 11th and 12th grade). 

PSSC offers 16 specialized programs, from aerospace to dental assisting, equipping students with hands-on skills and dual credits. Students split their time between their home high schools and PSSC. 

Learn more and apply

students in classroom

Raisbeck Aviation High School 

Applications are open to incoming 9th and 10th grade students. (Serves 9-12)

Raisbeck focuses on aviation- and aerospace-related topics. Students who are motivated to pursue a science, technology, engineering or math education and career pathway related to aviation, aerospace and space exploration are ideal candidates. 

Learn more and apply

student at computer

International Baccalaureate 

Applications are open to incoming 9th through 11th-grade students. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally-recognized, college-prep program emphasizing the development of independent learners, critical thinkers, and strong writers with a global perspective. It is located at Mount Rainier High School 

Learn more and apply

WELS: Waskowitz Environmental Leadership & Service 

Applications are open to incoming 9th and 11th-grade students. 

WELS is an innovative project-based program that offers an interdisciplinary, small learning community with a theme of environmental leadership and service. WELS students are active members of their learning community and serve as role models for sixth-grade students while at camp. It is located at Tyee High School.  Ninth-grade students can participate in Green Club and be High School Leaders at Waskowitz. In 10th and 11th grade, students will begin attending WELS classes. 

Learn more and apply

Neighborhood Schools

All neighborhood schools offer challenging coursework with electives to enhance the learning experience. We encourage you to get to know your neighborhood school—explore its website and all it has to offer. You do not have to apply to your neighborhood school. Your student will automatically be assigned unless they are selected and confirm intent to attend a school of choice. Use our online tool to find your neighborhood school.

Application Timeline for 2024-25 

  • October 2: Application opens
  • December 13: Centralized High School Transitions Event
  • January 31: Application closes for most schools
  • February 1: Schools begin reviewing applications  
  • March 1: Lottery
  • March 4: Lottery results posted online
  • March 8: PSSC application closes
  • March 11: Waitlists and applications begin to reopen for Big Picture, CHOICE, HVA, Virtual Program at Seahurst, Maritime and WELS.
  • March 29: Final student date to confirm acceptance
  • May 17: Application reopens for PSSC programs with space available

Applications for 2023-24 School Year 

  • Applications/waitlists remain open for Big Picture, CHOICE, HVA, Virtual Program at Seahurst, Maritime.

School-Specific Information Sessions:

Big Picture

  • January 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)

Location: Big Picture Cafeteria, 440 South 186th Street, Burien

CHOICE Academy

  • December 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
  • January 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)

Location: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien

Highline Virtual Academy

  • January 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom 

IB at Mount Rainier High School 

  • January 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)

Location: Mount Rainier High School, 22450 19th Avenue South, Des Moines

Innovation Heights Academy

  • January 24, 5:00 p.m. on Zoom 
  • January 24, 6:00 p.m in person

Location: 11249 14th Avenue South, Burien

Maritime High School 

  • December 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person, Gym)
  • Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom
    • Meeting ID: 945 2267 4898  Passcode: 388553

Location: 615 S 200th St., Des Moines

Puget Sound Skills Center 

  • December 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
  • January 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)

Location: Puget Sound Skills Center, 18010 8th Ave S, SeaTac

Raisbeck Aviation High School

  • November 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)
  • January 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. (In-person)

Location: 9229 East Marginal Way South, Tukwila

The Virtual Program at Seahurst Elementary

  • January 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom
  • February 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

WELS

  • Tuesday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. (In person)