Middle Schools in Highline School District

The Highline School District in Washington state is home to 5 middle schools serving students in grades 6-8. These schools, which include Glacier Middle School, Cascade Middle School, Pacific Middle School, Sylvester Middle School, and Chinook Middle School, serve diverse student populations with varying levels of academic performance and economic disadvantage.

Among the 5 middle schools, Sylvester Middle School stands out as the highest-performing, ranking 350 out of 535 Washington middle schools and earning a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. Sylvester outperforms the Highline School District and Washington state averages in most test score metrics, including a 39.35% proficiency rate in ELA and a 28.05% proficiency rate in Math. The school also boasts the highest Science proficiency at 45.51% and the lowest free/reduced lunch rate at 50.89%, suggesting a relatively more advantaged student population compared to the other schools in the district.

In contrast, the remaining middle schools in the Highline School District generally underperform the district and state averages in ELA and Math proficiency, with high rates of free/reduced lunch recipients ranging from 50.89% to 83.31%. These economic disadvantages may be contributing factors to the lower academic outcomes observed across the district. Additionally, the schools exhibit diverse racial compositions, with Hispanic students making up the largest racial group, highlighting the need for culturally responsive teaching and support strategies to address the unique needs of these student populations.