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6.0 avg / 10

Best Schools in Burien, Washington

17 schools · 9 Elementary · 1 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other

Public: 12
Private: 5
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.0/10
Estimated Scores: 38%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
6.0/10

13% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$98,146

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$626,250

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
34%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
27 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
59%

Of occupied housing units

How Burien compares

Washington rank

#119 of 192

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.4

below Washington avg (6.3)

Median household income

$98k

110% of Washington median

Schools in this city

16

About Schools in Burien, Washington

Burien, Washington is home to 17 schools, including 12 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 5 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Burien show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Burien is Gregory Heights Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Burien is served by 1 school district: Highline School District. These districts collectively serve 17,823 students.

Burien's community shows 34% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $98,146. The poverty rate in the area is 10.3%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Elementary Schools

9 schools
# School Rating
1 482 students · Pre-K–5th 7.9
2 396 students · Pre-K–5th 6.8
3 404 students · Pre-K–5th 6.5
4 413 students · Pre-K–5th 6.1
5 473 students · Pre-K–5th 4.5
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 68 students · Pre-K–6th Not Rated
2 467 students · TK–8th Not Rated
3 146 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
4 64 students · Kindergarten–8th Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 548 students · 6th–8th 5.5

High Schools

5 schools
# School Rating
1 79 students · 9th–12th 6.4
2 238 students · 6th–12th 6.4
3 200 students · 9th–12th 4.7
4 1,408 students · 9th–12th 3.7
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 Not Rated

Other Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 182 students · Pre-K–12th 4.5
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.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
17
Elementary
9
Middle
1
High
5
Districts
1
Avg Rating
6.0/10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 6.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 5.5/10.

What is the best high school in Burien, Washington?

The top-ranked high school in Burien on MySchoolScout is John F Kennedy Catholic High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

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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.