Almost 100 years after Highline High School first opened its doors in 1924, students and staff now start school in a beautiful new 230,000-square-foot building this September.
Despite pandemic impacts, Highline Public Schools completed the demolition and construction in just two years.
Funded by the 2016 school bond, the old school was demolished in the summer of 2019 and replaced from the ground up. Construction started by drilling 2,300 25-foot-deep aggregate piers filled with compacted gravel—a dramatic improvement to seismic safety.
The main entrance was reconstructed—minus the stairs—with the original terra-cotta decorations. The stained-glass pirate artwork from the entrance of the previous building was reframed and installed a few steps inside the new main entrance. A history wall features the story of the school inside the north lobby and at the entrance of the new 1,500-seat gym.
Designed by Bassetti Architects and constructed by Skanska USA, the new building boasts state-of-the-art career and technical education classrooms, science laboratories, fitness facilities, and an intimate 400-seat theater. It has views of Mount Rainier from the three-story south wing, and soaring, natural wood ceilings and beams in the commons area that connects the north and south wings.
Highline invites the community to celebrate the grand reopening of Highline High School at one of these public events during homecoming week:
Highline High School Self-guided Tours
October 22 and 23
Register online
Attend the homecoming game that Friday evening and cheer on the Pirates!
UPDATE, 10/20/2021: Highline Public Schools leaders canceled the Highline High School Community Grand Opening and Alumni Reception events planned for October 21 and 22.
More information: highlineschools.org/keepingourpromise
