Save the Date for January Info Sessions!
Shape your tomorrow by choosing your path for the 2024-25 school year 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.
You can apply to these schools and programs for the next school year. Find a program that’s the right fit? Most schools close their application on January 31, 2024.
Your Neighborhood School
High school neighborhood schools include Tyee High School, Mount Rainier High School, Highline High School and Evergreen High School.
All neighborhood schools offer a variety of challenging coursework taught by highly skilled teachers, 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.
Not sure what your neighborhood school is? Input your address to our school search tool to find your neighborhood school. Neighborhood schools do not require an application. Students are automatically assigned unless students enroll in a choice school.
Big Picture Middle and High School
Serving grades 6-12 — application required | Open to 6th through 12th-grade students
Centered on student interests, Big Picture crafts a personalized curriculum. Students design their learning plans, engage in project-based learning, and join internships two days a week, all while being part of a close-knit advisory group.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application will reopen in April for waitlist purposes on a space-available basis.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- January 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in person
- Big Picture Cafeteria: 440 South 186th Street, Burien
CHOICE Academy
Serving 6-12 grades — application required
CHOICE offers an extended academic journey from middle to high school. It emphasizes academic achievement, robust instruction, and student growth. Opportunities include college-level coursework and access to Puget Sound Skills Center in a college and career-prep environment.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application will reopen in April for waitlist purposes on a space-available basis.
Learn More
CHOICE Academy Admission Website
Attend an Information Night or School Tour
- Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in person
- CHOICE Academy: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien
School Tours
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in-person tours are available from 8:15 - 9:05 a.m. Call 206-631-7600 to schedule.
- CHOICE Academy: 18367 8th Avenue South, Burien
Highline Virtual Academy
Serving 6-12 grades — application required
This all-remote school offers a blend of self-paced and structured learning. It is ideal for students who excel in independent online learning. The academy emphasizes strong student-teacher relationships and comprehensive support.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application will reopen in April for waitlist purposes on a space-available basis.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- Wednesday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom (Meeting ID 856 878 1627)
Innovation Heights Academy
Serving grades 9th-12th grade— application required
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 instruction focused on project-based and cross-curricular learning blocks and another hour dedicated to wellness.
Application Info:
There are six sessions a year with varying application dates. Students apply for the current school year. Review the application process on the school website.
Learn More
Innovation Heights Admissions Website
Attend an Information Night!
- January 24, 5:00 p.m. on Zoom
- January 24, 6:00 p.m in person
- Innovation Heights Academy: 11249 14th Avenue South
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Serving grades 9th-12th grade — application required | Open to 9th through 11th-grade students
Located at Mount Rainier High School, the IB program is a globally recognized college-prep initiative. It nurtures independent learners, critical thinkers and adept writers with a worldwide perspective.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application does not reopen.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
- Mount Rainier High School: 22450 19th Avenue South, Des Moines
Maritime High School
Serving 9th-12th grade— application required | Open to 9th through 11th-grade students
Maritime High School connects students to project-based and career-connected learning centered on a wide variety of maritime careers such as engineer, architect, ferry captain, mechanic and marine scientist. A STEM-focused approach allows students to spend time out of the classroom on fieldwork experiences—learning by doing and experiencing the maritime world first-hand.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application will reopen in April for waitlist purposes on a space-available basis.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom
- Meeting ID: 945 2267 4898 Passcode: 388553
Attend A Career Expo
- Meet the Pros. Get Career Insight. Learn & Connect. For students & families interested in careers on or near the water.
- November 4, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Puget Sound Skills Center, 18010 8th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98148
Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC)
Open to 10th through 12th-grade students | Application required
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.
Application Info:
Application opens on December 1 and closes on March 8. The application reopens on May 17 for programs with space available.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- Thursday, January 18, 6:00 p.m. In-person
- Puget Sound Skills Center: 18010 8th Ave S, SeaTac
Raisbeck Aviation High School (RAHS)
Serving grades 9-12 | Application required | Open to 9th-grade students; 10th may apply to be on a waitlist for limited openings
RAHS offers a specialized, hands-on, project-based curriculum in aviation and aerospace-related content. Ideal for students passionate about STEM and aiming for careers in aviation, aerospace or space exploration.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application does not reopen.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in person
- Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in person
- Raisbeck Aviation High School: 9229 East Marginal Way South, Tukwila
Waskowitz Environmental Leadership & Service at Tyee
Open to incoming 9th through 11th-grade students -- application required
WELS is a 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 younger students at outdoor school. This program is located at Tyee High School and students will spend some of their time at Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center. 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.
Application Info:
Apply by January 31 through SchoolMint. The application will reopen in April for waitlist purposes on a space-available basis.
Learn More
Attend an Information Night!
- Tuesday, January 23, 6:00 p.m. In person.
- Tyee High School Interim Site: 615 S 200th Street, Des Moines
Application Details for Choice Schools and Programs
Please see each school outlined above for application details. Applications close on their specified date at 11:00 p.m.
Use our online application site, SchoolMint, to complete and submit an application for schools and programs of choice. For SchoolMint technical questions, you can find answers on their support website.
Space is limited for all schools and programs. A lottery process is used when applications exceed capacity.
For schools with an application closing of January 31, the lottery will take place on March 1. Families will be notified via SchoolMint on March 1 whether students are accepted or placed on a waitlist. Full lottery results, including waitlist order, will be posted as a news story on the district and choice school websites on March 4 by the end of the day.
Application processes and timelines for PSSC and Innovation Heights Academy vary.