Highline is continuing to expand inclusive practices across the district. Our foundational belief is clear: all students have the right to access general education settings to the greatest extent possible.
Inclusion does not mean every student spends 100% of the day in general education. It means schools and classrooms are designed to be accessible, supportive, and safe when students are there.
This commitment includes students receiving special education services, multilingual learners, and students identified as highly capable. Our goal is to build learning environments where every student can participate meaningfully, access grade‑level content, and have their strengths recognized and nurtured.
We saw this commitment in action on May 27, when students from middle and high schools across the district participated in Field Day at Mount Rainier High School. Students from Adapted PE classes joined peers from their schools for a day of connection, movement, and celebration. The photos from the day show what inclusion can look like when students are learning, participating, and having fun together.
This work is also continuing across our schools. All Highline elementary schools are now engaged in this inclusion work. Each school is at a different stage of learning and implementation, which reflects the ongoing nature of systemwide change.
One important shift has been enrolling incoming Kindergarten students from Developmental PreK classrooms directly into their neighborhood schools. This has been the practice for the past three years, except when families choose to opt in or out of Dual Language or request a transfer through the district process.
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, all middle schools will join the next phase of this work. This will help ensure students have consistent and equitable access as they move through their educational journey.
By strengthening inclusive practices for all learner variabilities, we are building schools where every learner belongs, participates, and thrives.