Best Schools in Burien, Washington
17 schools · 9 Elementary · 1 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Burien?
Use this page to compare every school in Burien by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Gregory Heights Elementary
Elementary · Highline School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Shorewood Elementary
Elementary · Highline School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Three Tree Montessori School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Burien for 2026 are Gregory Heights Elementary (7.9/10), Shorewood Elementary (7.6/10), and Three Tree Montessori School (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 16 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
17
12 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$626,250
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
17
12 public · 5 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$626,250
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 6.8/10 despite 76% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Burien schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +13.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Burien schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Burien
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (16 of 17). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Heights Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Shorewood Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Three Tree Montessori School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Big Picture School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Innovation Heights Academy | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | John F Kennedy Catholic High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 7 | St Francis of Assisi School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | St Bernadette School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Glendale Lutheran School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Sylvester Middle School | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $98,146
- Median home value
- $626,250
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 59%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Burien compares
Washington rank
#129 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Washington avg (6.4)
Median household income
$98k
110% of Washington median
Schools in this city
16
About Schools in Burien, Washington
Burien's public school system spans 11 ranked schools, covering elementary through high school with an average rating of 5.6 out of 10. That average places the city in solidly middle ground — functional, but with meaningful variation between schools that parents should map carefully before choosing a neighborhood or enrollment zone.
Only one school in Burien clears the 7-point threshold: Gregory Heights Elementary, which scores 7.9 out of 10. That puts Gregory Heights well above the city average and makes it the clearest standout in the district. Just 9% of ranked schools here reach that performance tier, so families with elementary-age children who prioritize academic outcomes should weight proximity to Gregory Heights heavily. Cedarhurst Elementary follows at 6.7, a full point below but still above the city mean — a viable alternative for families outside the Gregory Heights zone.
At the high school level, Innovation Heights Academy (6.5) and Big Picture School (6.4) sit close together and both edge above the city average. Neither reaches the top tier, but both represent above-average options in a city where most schools cluster in the 5-to-6 range. Big Picture School in particular draws families looking for project-based or non-traditional learning structures, though parents should verify current program details directly with the school. Seahurst Elementary rounds out the upper tier at 6.2, sitting just above the city mean with a smaller gap from the leaders than from the bottom of the range.
Practically speaking, Burien offers modest choice at the elementary level, with Gregory Heights and Cedarhurst as the clear picks for families who can access them. High school options are tighter — the two rated schools land within a tenth of a point of each other, so families should visit both and evaluate fit beyond the score. With only one school in the city scoring above 7, parents whose top priority is academic performance may want to cross-reference neighboring districts before finalizing a home search. Families already in Burien will find workable options, but selection within the city matters more here than in markets with broader top-tier coverage.
Elementary Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 482 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 413 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 404 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 4 | 473 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 5 | 396 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.5 | ||
| Private Schools 4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Three Tree Montessori School
Private
68 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | St Francis of Assisi School
Private
467 students · TK–8th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | St Bernadette School
Private
146 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.2 | ||
| 4 | Glendale Lutheran School
Private
64 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.1 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 548 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 238 students · 6th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 79 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 200 students · 9th–12th | 3.8 | ||
| 4 | 1,408 students · 9th–12th | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 749 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 182 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.8 |
| 2 | 10 students · Kindergarten–12th | — |
Schools in Burien
Burien, Washington · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$98,146
Median Home Value
$626,250
Median Rent
$1,755/mo
Population
95,396
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Community Profile
Burien has a median household income of $98,146. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $626,250, with a median rent of $1,755/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 5
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Burien, Washington
How many schools are in Burien, Washington?
Burien has 17 schools, including 12 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Burien, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Burien is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Burien, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Burien on MySchoolScout is Gregory Heights Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Burien, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Burien on MySchoolScout is Gregory Heights Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Burien, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Burien on MySchoolScout is Sylvester Middle School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Burien, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Burien on MySchoolScout is Big Picture School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Burien, Washington?
Burien is served by 1 school district: Highline School District.
What is the education level in Burien, Washington?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Burien have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Burien, Washington?
The median household income in Burien is approximately $98,146 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Burien, Washington?
Yes, Burien has 5 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is Three Tree Montessori School with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Burien, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Burien is 17.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Burien, Washington?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Washington Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.