Scores vs. Spending

More spending. Are Highline students getting better results?

Highline spends thousands more per student than the state average, yet too many students are not meeting grade-level standards.

These charts compare Highline's per-student spending with academic proficiency in ELA, Math, and Science. They show that more money has not translated into better outcomes for students.

Highline School District per-student spending compared with ELA, Math, and Science proficiency trends from 2018-19 through 2025-26

Since 2018, per-student funding in the Highline School District has increased substantially, reaching an estimated $24,240 for the 2025-26 school year, yet academic proficiency rates across ELA, Math, and Science remain significantly below grade-level standards. This trend indicates that rising expenditures are not effectively translating into improved student outcomes, based on data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Highline Public Schools.

Highline Spending and Student Results

2024-25 comparison with nearby school districts and the Washington state average

Spending Per Student

Highline

$22,180

Renton

$21,067

Kent

$20,923

Tacoma

$20,604

Auburn

$20,033

Tukwila

$20,013

Federal Way

$19,832

WA State Avg.

$19,347

$0$5K$10K$15K$20K

ELA Proficiency

Highline

33.0%

Renton

45.6%

Kent

42.6%

Tacoma

42.5%

Auburn

41.1%

Tukwila

30.1%

Federal Way

35.0%

WA State Avg.

50.9%

0%10%20%30%40%50%

Math Proficiency

Highline

23.9%

Renton

38.9%

Kent

32.9%

Tacoma

29.7%

Auburn

31.1%

Tukwila

21.0%

Federal Way

24.4%

WA State Avg.

40.7%

0%10%20%30%40%

Science Proficiency

Highline

24.2%

Renton

38.0%

Kent

36.8%

Tacoma

35.4%

Auburn

32.5%

Tukwila

27.9%

Federal Way

25.6%

WA State Avg.

43.3%

0%10%20%30%40%

Note: OSPI has not yet published 2025-26 per-student expenditure data, so this comparison uses the most recent comparable year: 2024-25.

Nearby districts differ in student needs, enrollment and revenue sources; spending alone does not measure district wealth.

Source: OSPI Washington State Report Card