Best Schools in Olympia, Washington

Olympia's public school system spans 24 ranked schools, covering the state capital and its surrounding communities. The citywide average sits at 6.0 out of 10 — a middle-of-the-range result that masks meaningful variation between the top performers and the rest of the field. Parents will find a small cluster of high-scoring options alongside a larger group of schools clustered near or below that average.

Only 4 of the 24 ranked schools — 17% — score 7 or higher, so standout options are limited but identifiable. Boston Harbor Elementary leads the city at 7.7, the highest score in Olympia's ranked landscape. McKenny Elementary follows at 7.3, and Avanti High School — the top-ranked secondary option — scores 7.2. Griffin School rounds out the 7+ tier at exactly 7.0. East Olympia Elementary at 6.9 just misses that threshold but stays competitive with the top group.

The 1.7-point spread between Boston Harbor (7.7) and the citywide average (6.0) is meaningful. For families prioritizing academic performance, the gap between the top four schools and the broader pool is wide enough to drive real decisions. Elementary-age families have the most options at the high end — four of the five highest-scoring schools are elementary schools, giving parents of younger children a stronger set of choices to work with.

Olympia is a manageable market to research. With 24 ranked schools and clear score separation at the top, parents can narrow their shortlist quickly. The 7+ tier — Boston Harbor, McKenny, Avanti, and Griffin — gives families a concrete starting point. For secondary-school families, Avanti High School at 7.2 stands out as the clear leader among ranked high schools in the city. Assignment zones and open enrollment eligibility will determine which of these options are realistically accessible, so verifying district boundaries is the right first move.