Students are more likely to thrive when school are welcoming, expectations are clear, and adults work together to respond when support is needed.
Across Highline, Culture & Climate Teams help schools put those schoolwide supports in place through everyday practices that help students feel connected, encourage positive behavior, and make it easier to notice concerns early.
Team leads meet regularly to share data-informed strategies and bring tools and strategies back to their school communities, helping school teams use support systems more consistently and make decisions based on what students need.
Today, nearly all Highline schools have Culture & Climate Team meetings. These teams help connect district learning with daily practice in schools.
An important part of that work is using data well. Schools review attendance, behavior and other indicators to understand patterns, identify needs early and respond with the right support. When staff use shared systems and common protocols, they are better able to align supports and respond before challenges grow.
Glacier Middle School is one example of what that looks like in practice. Its team uses Den Dollars, a schoolwide rewards system, to reinforce positive behavior and build student connection. Staff also use Synergy tools and shared data routines to review patterns, strengthen schoolwide support and identify students who may need additional help.
Want to learn more about student supports?
Highline uses a framework called Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, to help make sure every student gets the support they need to succeed. This starts with strong schoolwide support for all students. When needed, schools can add targeted support for some students and more individualized support for a smaller number of students. Schools look at information such as attendance, behavior and academic progress to notice concerns early and respond with the right support.
A Priority Area
This work supports one of Highline’s strategic priorities: improving student support systems. This means providing the right support or challenge at the right time so each student can grow and succeed.