Highline Public Schools is sharing results from its online conversation about course offerings at the high school level.
Highline’s high schools will switch from a two-term semester schedule to a three-term trimester schedule in the fall of 2020. Students will have five (longer) class periods a day, rather than six (shorter) periods.
“The trimester schedule gives students the opportunity to take more courses and earn more credits in four years of high school,” the district said.
In March, families, staff, students and the community were invited to share ideas and rate priorities through an online conversation called ThoughtExchange.
Nearly 500 people contributed hundreds of comments and ideas. The Highline community gave nearly 12,000-star ratings through the process, with several themes rising to the top:
- Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Programme, college credit
- Career and technical education
- Money management
- Arts, music, band, choir
- Math
- STEM
- Life skills
- World language
- Computer and technology,
- College and career readiness
- Civics
- Ethnic studies
- Academic support
Families and community members were also invited to a series of public meetings to share feedback in person.
The trimester transition steering team, made up of principals, teachers and central office staff, will use input gathered in this exchange and the community meetings as they develop and approve new courses. In addition, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee will share their ideas for new courses. Next fall, Highline will conduct student focus groups to get additional input.
Visit Highline’s online interactive report to learn about the top priorities that emerged during the conversation and community events.