Burien’s public schools score below 79% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Burien’s districts is 24%, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Burien, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.
From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Burien’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 273 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Burien’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 88% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,280 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Sylvester Middle School, then Highline High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
John F Kennedy Catholic High School (private), St. Francis of Assisi School (private), St. Bernadette School (private), Mayf Academy (private), Three Tree Montessori School (private) and Glendale Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Burien’s grade
C−: better than 21% of Washington school districts, #259 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Burien, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Burien
Sylvester Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 582 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Burien
Sylvester Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 582 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Burien
Sylvester Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 582 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Burien
Highline High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,423 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Burien
Highline High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,423 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Burien’s public schools are run by Highline School District, which also serves Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Burien vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Burien’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Burien | C− | Highline |
| SeaTac | C− | Highline |
| Tukwila | C+ | Tukwila PK–12 · Renton PK–12 |
| Normandy Park | C− | Highline |
| Seattle | A | Seattle |
| Des Moines | C− | Highline PK–12 · Federal Way PK–12 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Highline with Burien, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Burien
18 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Southern Heights Elementary, Puget Sound Skills Center, Satellite High School, Puget Sound High School, Gateway to College and Highline Home School Center).
Questions about Burien’s schools
Are Burien’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Burien children attend score below 79% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #259 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Burien in?
Highline School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 18,072 students in 36 schools (2024–25).
Where do Burien kids go to high school?
Highline High School, with 1,423 students.
What is Burien’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Highline School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Burien spend per student?
$21,280 in Highline School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Burien?
Yes: John F Kennedy Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 815 students), St. Francis of Assisi School (Catholic, grades K–8, 479 students), St. Bernadette School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 192 students), Mayf Academy (religious, grades K–7, 180 students), Three Tree Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 177 students) and Glendale Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 65 students).
Parents talk
What Burien families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Burien → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.