Best Schools in Poulsbo, Washington
12 schools · 8 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Poulsbo?
Use this page to compare every school in Poulsbo 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.
Poulsbo Elementary School
Elementary · North Kitsap School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hilder Pearson Elementary
Elementary · North Kitsap School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Chief Kitsap Academy
Other · Suquamish Tribal Education Department. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Poulsbo for 2026 are Poulsbo Elementary School (8.1/10), Hilder Pearson Elementary (7.2/10), and Chief Kitsap Academy (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
12
6 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$587,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
12
6 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$587,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Poulsbo schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Poulsbo
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poulsbo Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Hilder Pearson Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Chief Kitsap Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Poulsbo Middle School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | West Sound Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Vinland Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 7 | North Kitsap High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Gateway Christian Schools | 5.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Silverwood School | 4.3 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $109,416
- Median home value
- $587,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
22% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Poulsbo compares
Washington rank
#86 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Washington avg (6.4)
Median household income
$109k
123% of Washington median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Poulsbo, Washington
Poulsbo, Washington is home to 12 schools, including 6 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Poulsbo 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 Poulsbo is Poulsbo Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Poulsbo is served by 2 school districts: Suquamish Tribal Education Department, North Kitsap School District. These districts collectively serve 5,441 students.
Poulsbo's community shows 45% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $109,416. The poverty rate in the area is 6.3%.
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
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 465 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 299 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 515 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 5 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Gateway Christian Schools
Private
102 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | Silverwood School
Private
86 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.3 | ||
| 3 | Central Kitsap Montessori
Private
14 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
| 4 | 2 students · Pre-K–TK | — | ||
| 5 | Poulsbo Adventist School
Private
19 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 670 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,097 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 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 | West Sound Academy
Private
97 students · 6th–12th | 6.4 | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.4 |
Schools in Poulsbo
Poulsbo, Washington · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$109,416
Median Home Value
$587,000
Median Rent
$1,757/mo
Population
32,997
College Educated
45%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Community Profile
Poulsbo has a median household income of $109,416. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $587,000, with a median rent of $1,757/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Poulsbo, Washington
How many schools are in Poulsbo, Washington?
Poulsbo has 12 schools, including 6 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Poulsbo, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Poulsbo is 6.3 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 Poulsbo, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Poulsbo on MySchoolScout is Poulsbo Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Poulsbo, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Poulsbo on MySchoolScout is Poulsbo Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Poulsbo, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Poulsbo on MySchoolScout is Poulsbo Middle School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Poulsbo, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Poulsbo on MySchoolScout is West Sound Academy with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Poulsbo, Washington?
Poulsbo is served by 2 school districts: Suquamish Tribal Education Department, North Kitsap School District.
What is the education level in Poulsbo, Washington?
According to Census data, 45% of adults in Poulsbo have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Poulsbo, Washington?
The median household income in Poulsbo is approximately $109,416 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Poulsbo, Washington?
Yes, Poulsbo has 6 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is West Sound Academy with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Poulsbo, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Poulsbo is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Poulsbo, 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.