Best Schools in Port Townsend, Washington
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Port Townsend?
Use this page to compare every school in Port Townsend 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.
Salish Coast Elementary
Elementary · Port Townsend School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Swan School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Blue Heron Middle School
Middle · Port Townsend School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Port Townsend for 2026 are Salish Coast Elementary (8.0/10), Swan School (5.7/10), and Blue Heron Middle School (5.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$511,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$511,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +10.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Port Townsend schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Port Townsend
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salish Coast Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Swan School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Blue Heron Middle School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Port Townsend High School | 4.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Ocean | 4.7 / 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
- $67,061
- Median home value
- $511,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Port Townsend compares
Washington rank
#128 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Washington avg (6.4)
Median household income
$67k
75% of Washington median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Port Townsend show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Port Townsend is Salish Coast Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Port Townsend is served by 1 school district: Port Townsend School District. These districts collectively serve 1,170 students.
Port Townsend's community shows 51% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $67,061. The poverty rate in the area is 12.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 459 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 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 | Swan School
Private
56 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.7 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 222 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 361 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 128 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.7 |
Schools in Port Townsend
Port Townsend, Washington · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$67,061
Median Home Value
$511,900
Median Rent
$1,349/mo
Population
17,401
College Educated
51%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Community Profile
Port Townsend has a median household income of $67,061. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $511,900, with a median rent of $1,349/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
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 Port Townsend, Washington
How many schools are in Port Townsend, Washington?
Port Townsend has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Port Townsend, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Port Townsend on MySchoolScout is Salish Coast Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Port Townsend, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Port Townsend on MySchoolScout is Salish Coast Elementary with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Port Townsend, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Port Townsend on MySchoolScout is Blue Heron Middle School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Port Townsend, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Port Townsend on MySchoolScout is Port Townsend High School with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Port Townsend, Washington?
Port Townsend is served by 1 school district: Port Townsend School District.
What is the education level in Port Townsend, Washington?
According to Census data, 51% of adults in Port Townsend have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Port Townsend, Washington?
The median household income in Port Townsend is approximately $67,061 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Port Townsend, Washington?
Yes, Port Townsend has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Swan School with a score of 5.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Port Townsend, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Port Townsend is 14.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Port Townsend, 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.