School Leaders and Tyee Teacher Walk & Talk with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Partners
Last week, we welcomed partners from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for a first look at Tyee High School’s new Health Professionals Program and future learning space — opening fall 2025.
Together, we’re building real opportunities for students to explore careers in healthcare, gain hands-on experience, and graduate ready for the future they choose.
Superintendent Ivan Duran presented Keeping Our Promise pins to various partners and staff at the conclusion of the tour to thank each person for their role in making this new pathway opportunity a reality for students.
He thanked Virginia Mason for believing in our students and for their program partnership and the City of SeaTac for their support of the school construction project.
If you’re entering 9th grade within Highline Public Schools, or from another school district — and you are interested in health care, there’s still time to apply!
Program Overview
9th and 10th Grade Foundational Hands-on Courses
- Human Body Systems
- Introduction to Health Science Careers
- Medical Terminology
Pathways – 11th and 12th Grade Options
- In their final two years, students choose one of three focused pathways:
- Nursing Assistant: earn a Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC)
- Pre-Allied Health: explore careers like physical therapy or radiologic technology
- College in the High School: earn college credits toward a two- or four-year degree in the medical field
Learn more about this innovative learning program to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand medical careers: tyee.highlineschools.org/hpp
Event Photos
Getting ready to greet guests in the new Tyee High School's flexible performing arts space.
Providing an overview of the new Tyee construction project: Absher Construction's Senior Project Manager Jake Peavler (speaking, second from right); and Ellie Daneshnia, executive director of Capital Planning & Construction for Highline Public Schools (third from right).
Strolling through the new Tyee commons, left to right: Charlie Calvano, architect, Integrus Architecture; Chantel Arnone, interim chief nursing officer, St. Anne Hospital - VMFH; Elizabeth Palow, CTE specialist, Highline Public Schools; Victoria Terry, principal, Tyee High School; Jonathan Young, city manager, City of SeaTac; Nicole Dao, CTE Health Science teacher, Tyee High School; Brandon Holt, interim vice president, St Anne Hospital - VMFH; Kevin Udoye, Clinical Nurse Supervisor, St Anne Hospital - VMFH; Andrew Benitez, executive director, Teaching & Learning, HPS; Ivan Duran, superintendent, HPS; Mandi Lecompte, director of communications, HPS.
Highline's Superintendent Ivan Duran (right) presents a "Keeping Our Promise" pin to Debora Schweikl, administrative coordinator for VMFH Student Healthcare Career Program, Clinical Education.
Absher Construction's Senior Project Manager Jake Peavler talks to Tyee Principal Victoria Terry in one of Tyee's new science lab classrooms.
The tour group admires the new welcome wall graphic leading to the flexible performing arts space.
Standing in front of the new Tyee High School: Robin Brown, senior project director, Vanir; and Ivan Duran, superintendent, Highline Public Schools.