Summary:
ZIP code 98146 has two high schools serving grades 9–12: Evergreen High School and Highline Open Doors 1418, both associated with the Highline School District. Together, they serve about 1,320 students, but they are not directly comparable: Evergreen is a traditional comprehensive high school, while Open Doors is an alternative reengagement program for students who may be behind in credits, older than typical high-school students, or returning after leaving school.
Evergreen High School is the stronger choice on the reported traditional high-school measures. It enrolls about 1,080 students and has a 78.1% graduation rate, compared with 4.7% at Open Doors. Evergreen’s dropout rate is 11.9%, still somewhat above district and state rates, while Open Doors reports a much higher 32.2%. Evergreen’s English language arts proficiency is 44.67%, about 10 points above the district average. However, math proficiency is only 13.51% and science proficiency is 18.75%, both well below state results. The school improved in all three subjects year over year, especially English language arts and science, but math and science remain important areas for improvement. Its student–teacher ratio is 20.5, compared with 34.1 at Open Doors.
Highline Open Doors 1418 serves a different purpose, so its graduation and dropout statistics should be interpreted within that alternative-program context. Parents considering it should ask about credit recovery, attendance expectations, diploma pathways, counseling, and how student progress is measured. Evergreen reports higher spending per student—$20,371 versus $16,311—and a lower student–teacher ratio, which may support more individualized attention. Overall, families seeking a conventional high-school experience will likely find Evergreen the more relevant option, while Open Doors may be better suited to students needing a flexible path back to education.
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