Highline High School

With passage of the 2016 bond, we are rebuilding Highline High School. School staff and community members helped plan and review the design.

Find HHS construction updates and more progress photos below.

Opening: September 2021
Architect: Bassetti Architects
General Contractor/Construction Manager: Skanska

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Progress Photos

Check out photos of our progress: Staff and community members helped plan, review designs or participated in community meetings. On HHS Alumni Day in May 2019, we said goodbye to the old building and took a group photo. Skanska took over the site in July 2019. Crews completed demolition by the first week of November. Construction moved from the southeast corner to the northwest corner of the site. The new school is scheduled to open September 2021.

HHS Construction (Early June 2021)

HHS Construction (May 2021 drone footage, by Jeb Binns)

HHS Construction (March 2021)

HHS Tennis Court Ribbon Cutting (February 2021)

HHS Construction (Winter 2020-21)

HHS Construction (Fall 2020)

HHS Construction (Summer 2020)

HHS Construction (May 2020)

HHS Construction (April 2020)

HHS Construction (March 2020)

HHS Construction (February 2020)

HHS Construction (January 2020)

HHS Construction (December 2019)

HHS Construction (November 2019)

HHS Demolition (July - October 2019)

HHS Alumni Day 2019

Designs & Plans

Staff and community members rolled up their sleeves and helped with planning and design of the new high school through the HHS Design Review Committee, community meetings and feedback opportunities. Staff helped the architects support the educational specifications in the design. See the design images and read the February 2019 news update:

Architects Share Final Design Details
-- February 2019

Please call 206-631-3002 to request to see the HHS display boards in person or for accessibility assistance.

Northwest corner of new Highline High School, showing 2-story north building and 3-story south building.

Timeline

Background

Highline High School is over 90 years old and was identified as a top priority for capital improvements. The building has outdated, failing mechanical systems. Because it was built in and for an earlier era, it is not up to current fire or earthquake codes. The electrical infrastructure cannot support the technology we expect in today’s schools.

Highline has undergone several additions and partial renovations, which have extended its use well beyond its expected lifespan. The latest renovation, 25 years ago, remodeled classrooms in the main building but did not address major systems such as heating and plumbing. An independent building evaluation conducted in 2013 found plumbing in poor condition, mechanical systems failing, leaks in sprinkler systems and failing cornice joints, among other issues.

We recognize that the Highline High School building holds a special significance in the community. We have selected Bassetti Architects to design Highline High School. Bassetti has successfully rebuilt a number of historic schools, including Roosevelt High School, Franklin High School, and Stadium High School.

Here you can view before and after photos of school projects done by Bassetti Architecture.

HHS Construction Updates

RSS Feeds

A group of staff prepare to tour the new Highline High School.

Pirates Visit Their New Ship & Save the Dates to Celebrate!

Jun 6 2021

"Wow, it's beautiful!" was the phrase on repeat this week as Highline High School staff toured their new school inside and out. We take you along with one of the tour groups, including Principal Clint Sallee, to see what 85% complete looks like. Then, fly over Highline with teacher Jeb Binns and his drone!

New HHS: Old Stained Glass Pirate, Landscaping, Technology, Bleachers & More

Mar 15 2021

Read the March update on construction progress at Highline High School. See photos and drone footage.

Tennis Coach Scott Babcock cuts ribbon to celebrate completion of 6 new tennis courts.

Tennis Coach Scott Babcock Cuts the Ribbon on 6 New HHS Courts

Mar 1 2021

Highline High School Tennis Coach Scott Babcock cut the ribbon at a very small, very wet ceremony on February 26 to mark the completion of six new purple tennis courts at the Sunnydale site.

Something Old, Something New...

Jan 14 2021

Yes, that is the original terracotta! The new school continues on track to open in September. Check out the latest interior and exterior photos and a drone video from teacher Jeb Binns! Read the January update on construction progress.

Purple HHS Tennis Courts getting striped

HHS Tennis Courts Turn Purple

Oct 11 2020

As part of the new Highline High School replacement project, six new purple tennis courts are nearly complete at the Sunnydale field. See photos.

Update & Photos: New Highline High School Opens Fall 2021