Projections Used for Budget Planning & Development
Highline expects student enrollment to remain steady for the 2026-27 school year, with growth projected later in the decade as new housing developments within Highline boundaries are completed and occupied.
Each year, Highline partners with an independent demographer to develop enrollment projections. These projections are an important part of our long-term financial planning and help guide staffing decisions at each school. For the 2026-27 school year, we anticipate enrolling approximately 17,322 students, about 30 fewer than this year.
Why Enrollment Numbers Matter
State funding is directly tied to student enrollment. These projections play an important role in our annual budget development. Highline typically uses the “medium” projection scenario for planning, but we also review both lower and higher growth estimates to understand the full range of possible outcomes and remain prepared for shifts.
Understanding Past Trends
While enrollment has remained steady in recent years, earlier post-pandemic declines reflect broader regional trends, including slower population growth and smaller birth cohorts, not a move away from public schools.
Private school enrollment declined between 2023 and 2024, and home-based instruction is below pandemic levels.
Looking Ahead, Growth Expected
Looking ahead, enrollment is expected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by the development and occupancy of new multi-family housing across our community.
We will continue to monitor enrollment closely and use this data to make informed, strategic decisions that support our students, staff, and schools.