Best High Schools
in Seattle, Washington
We ranked the 37 high schools in Seattle with real test data. The top 25 scored between 6.6 and 8.8 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Washington education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Seattle for 2026 are Cleveland High School Stem (8.8/10), Summit Public School: Sierra (8.3/10), and Ballard High School (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 37 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Seattle?
Every high school in Seattle is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cleveland High School Stem
Seattle, WA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Summit Public School: Sierra
Seattle, WA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Ballard High School
Seattle, WA. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Seattle's 26 ranked high schools span a competitive range, with an average composite score of 6.8/10 and a clear separation at the top. Summit Public School: Sierra leads the metro at 8.6/10, followed closely by Middle College High School at 8.3 and Cleveland High School STEM at 8.2. The table below covers all ranked schools across Seattle's neighborhoods and districts. Eleven schools — 42% of the ranked pool — score 7.0 or higher, meaning families have a solid tier of strong options to compare. Whether you're prioritizing STEM programming, college-prep focus, or a specific part of the city, the data here lets you sort by score, type, and other key metrics to find the fit that makes sense for your student. Use the table to dig into the details behind each ranking.
Cleveland High School Stem
Summit Public School: Sierra
Ballard High School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Seattle's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Washington so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 37 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland High School Stem Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.8 |
| 2 | Summit Public School: Sierra Charter Summit Public School: Sierra | 8.3 |
| 3 | Ballard High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.2 |
| 4 | West Seattle High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.2 |
| 5 | Ingraham High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.1 |
| 6 | Middle College High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.1 |
| 7 | Roosevelt High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.9 |
| 8 | The Northwest School | 7.7 |
| 9 | Garfield High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.6 |
| 10 | Brightmont Academy--seattle Campus | 7.5 |
| 11 | Seattle Lutheran High School | 7.5 |
| 12 | Choice Academy Highline School District | 7.4 |
| 13 | Franklin High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.2 |
| 14 | Interagency Detention School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.2 |
| 15 | Lincoln High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.1 |
| 16 | Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences | 7.1 |
| 17 | Fusion Academy Seattle | 6.9 |
| 18 | Nathan Hale High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 6.8 |
| 19 | Rainier Beach High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 6.8 |
| 20 | The Center School Seattle School District No. 1 | 6.8 |
| 21 | O'dea High School | 6.8 |
| 22 | University Prep | 6.8 |
| 23 | Puget Sounds Community School | 6.8 |
| 24 | Seattle Waldorf High School | 6.8 |
| 25 | Holy Names Academy | 6.6 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Washington education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Washington. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Seattle
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Seattle's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Seattle
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Seattle's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Washington, with 43 schools spanning 8 school districts, plus 4 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Seattle, Washington?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Cleveland High School Stem is the top-rated high school in Seattle with a composite score of 8.8/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Seattle, Washington?
Seattle has 43 high schools, including 4 charter schools. Of these, 38 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Seattle?
The average composite score for Seattle high schools is 6.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Washington).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Washington, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Washington, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Seattle high school rankings?
Yes. Seattle has 4 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.