Best Schools in Federal Way, Washington
35 schools · 18 Elementary · 4 Middle · 9 High · 4 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $86,380
- Median home value
- $487,050
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
16% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Federal Way compares
Washington rank
#139 of 192
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Washington avg (6.3)
Median household income
$86k
97% of Washington median
Schools in this city
32
About Schools in Federal Way, Washington
Federal Way sits in King County with 29 ranked public schools spanning a performance range that parents should understand before choosing a neighborhood. The district's average score lands at 5.5 out of 10 — a useful anchor for comparison shopping. Only 4 of those 29 schools, or 14%, clear the 7-point threshold, so strong options exist but are concentrated rather than spread evenly across the city.
Federal Way Public Academy leads the ranked schools with a 7.9 out of 10 — the highest score in the city. It serves middle school students, making it a key destination for families with children entering grades 6-8. At the elementary level, Wildwood Elementary scores 7.8, sitting just behind the Academy and giving younger students a strong starting point. Green Gables Elementary and Sherwood Forest Elementary both score 7.2, rounding out the top tier alongside Twin Lakes Elementary at 6.8. These five schools represent Federal Way's upper performance band.
The remaining 24 schools cluster below the 7-point line, with the citywide average of 5.5 reflecting a meaningful split between the top performers and the broader landscape. For parents, that gap matters most when choosing between neighborhoods. Federal Way Public Academy's 7.9 score makes it the single clearest academic draw for middle schoolers in the district. Families targeting strong elementary years should look closely at the attendance zones for Wildwood, Green Gables, and Sherwood Forest, where performance consistently outpaces the district average by more than a full point.
Federal Way gives parents a concrete shortlist to work with. The top-performing schools are identifiable, scores are consistent enough for neighborhood planning, and the 14% share of 7-plus schools means competitive options are available without overwhelming choice. Parents should map attendance boundaries against their target addresses early — in a 29-school district where performance spreads widely around a 5.5 average, where you live determines your starting point.
Elementary Schools
18 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 566 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 320 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 369 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 357 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 422 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 6 | 469 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 7 | 537 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 8 | 359 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 9 | 357 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 10 | 319 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 11 | 424 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.7 | ||
| 12 | 474 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.5 | ||
| 13 | 381 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.4 | ||
| 14 | 487 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 | ||
| 15 | 523 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 40 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL
Private
201 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | ST LUKES SCHOOL
Private
36 students · Pre-K–1st | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 303 students · 6th–10th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 652 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 622 students · 5th–8th | 5.6 |
| 4 | 618 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 1,413 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 57 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 4 | 1,354 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 5 | 171 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 6 | 1,645 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 |
| 7 | 537 students · 6th–12th | 3.8 |
| 8 | 3 students · 11th–12th | — |
| 9 | 12 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 321 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.2 | ||
| 2 | 61 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | 391 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.0 | ||
| 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 | 24 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Federal Way
Federal Way, Washington · 35 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$86,380
Median Home Value
$487,050
Median Rent
$1,763/mo
Population
101,803
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
57%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Community Profile
Federal Way has a median household income of $86,380. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $487,050, with a median rent of $1,763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Washington
- Total Schools
- 35
- Elementary
- 18
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 9
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 5.8/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Federal Way, Washington
How many schools are in Federal Way, Washington?
Federal Way has 35 schools, including 31 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Federal Way, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Federal Way is 5.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Federal Way, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Federal Way on MySchoolScout is Wildwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Federal Way, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Federal Way on MySchoolScout is Wildwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Federal Way, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Federal Way on MySchoolScout is Federal Way Public Academy with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Federal Way, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Federal Way on MySchoolScout is Career Academy at Truman High School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Federal Way, Washington?
Federal Way is served by 1 school district: Federal Way School District.
What is the education level in Federal Way, Washington?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Federal Way have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Federal Way, Washington?
The median household income in Federal Way is approximately $86,380 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Federal Way, Washington?
Yes, Federal Way has 4 private schools alongside 31 public schools. The top-rated private school is Montessori Academy at Spring Valley with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Federal Way, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Federal Way is 17.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Federal Way, 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.