Best High Schools
in Seattle, Washington
We ranked all 43 high schools in Seattle. The top 25 scored between 6.6 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Washington education data
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.
Summit Public School: Sierra
Middle College High School
Cleveland High School STEM
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Washington so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summit Public School: Sierra Charter Summit Public School: Sierra | 8.6 |
| 2 | Middle College High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.3 |
| 3 | Cleveland High School STEM Seattle School District No. 1 | 8.2 |
| 4 | Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.9 |
| 5 | West Seattle High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.8 |
| 6 | The Center School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.7 |
| 7 | THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL | 7.7 |
| 8 | Ballard High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.6 |
| 9 | BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY--SEATTLE CAMPUS | 7.5 |
| 10 | SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | 7.5 |
| 11 | Nathan Hale High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.4 |
| 12 | Lincoln High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.3 |
| 13 | Roosevelt High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.2 |
| 14 | Interagency Open Doors Seattle School District No. 1 | 7.1 |
| 15 | SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES | 7.1 |
| 16 | FUSION ACADEMY SEATTLE | 6.9 |
| 17 | Summit Public School: Olympus Charter Summit Public School: Olympus | 6.8 |
| 18 | CHOICE Academy Highline School District | 6.8 |
| 19 | Ingraham High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 6.8 |
| 20 | O'DEA HIGH SCHOOL | 6.8 |
| 21 | UNIVERSITY PREP | 6.8 |
| 22 | PUGET SOUNDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL | 6.8 |
| 23 | SEATTLE WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL | 6.8 |
| 24 | Garfield High School Seattle School District No. 1 | 6.6 |
| 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, Summit Public School: Sierra is the top-rated high school in Seattle with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.