Best Schools in Seattle, Washington
213 schools · 127 Elementary · 23 Middle · 46 High · 17 Other
Choosing a school in Seattle?
Use this page to compare every school in Seattle 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.
West Woodland Elementary School
Elementary · Seattle School District No. 1. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
James Baldwin Elementary School
Elementary · Seattle School District No. 1. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Rainier Prep
Middle · Rainier Prep Charter School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Seattle for 2026 are West Woodland Elementary School (9.5/10), James Baldwin Elementary School (9.5/10), and Rainier Prep (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 122 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
213
123 public · 90 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$852,700
home value · ACS
Districts
8
serving the city
Schools
213
123 public · 90 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$852,700
home value · ACS
Districts
8
serving the city
Rates 9.4/10 despite 69% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Seattle schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +19.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Seattle schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Seattle
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 122 rated schools; 213 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Woodland Elementary School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | James Baldwin Elementary School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Rainier Prep | 9.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Catharine Blaine K-8 School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Bryant Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Sanislo Elementary School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Queen Anne Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 8 | Jane Addams Middle School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 9 | Mercer International Middle School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Gatewood Elementary School | 8.9 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $116,181
- Median home value
- $852,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
42% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Seattle compares
Washington rank
#45 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Washington avg (6.3)
Median household income
$116k
130% of Washington median
Schools in this city
199
Education Snapshot
Seattle, WashingtonSeattle's 200 schools span 8 districts and enroll roughly 73,091 students across a level mix that skews elementary-heavy — 123 elementary campuses versus 43 high schools and 25 middle schools. On MySchoolScout's composite rating, Seattle averages 7.3/10 across 191 scored schools, a full point above Washington state's 6.4/10 average — a gap that reflects both the city's resource base and its educated adult population: 64% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median household income sits at $121,395, running 22% above the state median of $99,416, which correlates with stronger local tax revenue and higher parent-engagement rates than most Washington cities face. Five charter schools operate within city limits, giving families a modest but real alternative to the district system. Parents evaluating specific schools will find meaningful variation within Seattle itself — the aggregate rating masks school-to-school spread that the listings below surface by neighborhood and level.
Seattle School District No. 1 runs 86% of Seattle's public schools
Seattle touches 8 districts, but Seattle School District No. 1 is the one most addresses actually attend.
Seattle School District No. 1 accounts for 106 of 123 public schools (86%). The other 7 districts hold the remaining 17.
Among 122 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.2 to 9.5 — the spread is inside Seattle, not a citywide average.
- Seattle School District No. 1106 public · 86%
- Highline School District7 public · 6%
- Renton School District5 public · 4%
- Rainier Prep Charter School District1 public · 1%
- Rainier Valley Leadership Academy1 public · 1%
About Schools in Seattle, Washington
Seattle's public school landscape spans 34 ranked schools, giving parents a solid range of options across the city's distinct neighborhoods. The average school score sits at 6.7 out of 10, and half of all ranked schools — 17 in total — score 7 or above. That split means quality is reasonably concentrated at the top, but parents should look carefully at neighborhood assignments before assuming a strong result.
Elementary schools dominate the top of the rankings. Stephen Decatur Elementary and Magnolia Elementary both earn a 9.2 out of 10, making them the highest-rated public schools in Seattle. Sand Point Elementary follows closely at 9.0, and Queen Anne Elementary rounds out the top tier at 8.7. These four schools are all elementary level, which signals particularly strong options for younger children in certain parts of the city. Rainier Prep is the standout at the middle school level, scoring 8.9 and sitting among the top five schools overall — a relevant data point for families planning ahead past the elementary years.
The city average of 6.7 tells a practical story: performance varies meaningfully depending on where a family lives. With half the ranked schools clearing the 7-out-of-10 threshold, Seattle performs reasonably well compared to many urban districts, but the gap between the top schools and the citywide average is notable. A 9.2 at Stephen Decatur or Magnolia against a 6.7 mean represents real distance in measured school quality. Parents zoned to lower-scoring schools should research open enrollment and magnet options within Seattle Public Schools, since the district does offer pathways beyond neighborhood assignment.
For families actively comparing schools, the concentration of top-rated schools at the elementary level makes early research especially valuable. Locking in a strong elementary experience is achievable for many Seattle families, particularly those with flexibility on neighborhood. Middle school options narrow somewhat, making Rainier Prep worth close attention for parents with children approaching those grades. Start with the 17 schools scoring 7 or above as your working list, then filter by grade level and location to focus your visits and applications.
Elementary Schools
127 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 380 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 233 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.5 |
| 3 | 436 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.3 |
| 4 | 477 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 |
| 5 | 171 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 6 | 215 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 |
| 7 | 381 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 8 | 504 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.9 |
| 9 | 215 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 10 | 468 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
Show all 127 elementary schools in Seattle
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
23 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 333 students · 5th–8th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 834 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 751 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
| 4 | 674 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 5 | 713 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
| 6 | 551 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 897 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 8 | 459 students · 6th–8th | 8.0 |
| 9 | 660 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 10 | 1,013 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
Show all 23 middle schools in Seattle
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
46 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,697 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 890 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 1,645 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
| 4 | 1,392 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 765 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 1,237 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 7 | 178 students · 6th–12th | 7.4 |
| 8 | 184 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 9 | 1,528 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 10 | 258 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
Show all 46 high schools in Seattle
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
17 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 170 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 118 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.2 | ||
Private Schools15 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Bush SchoolPrivate 715 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Seattle Waldorf SchoolPrivate 193 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Seattle Waldorf SchoolPrivate 196 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 67 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Morningside AcademyPrivate 80 students · 3rd–9th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | 65 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Dartmoor School - SeattlePrivate 49 students · 4th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | 144 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 17 other schools in Seattle
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Seattle
Seattle, Washington · 213 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 29 ZIP codes
Median Income
$116,181
Median Home Value
$852,700
Median Rent
$1,922/mo
Population
888,308
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Community Profile
Seattle has a median household income of $116,181. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $852,700, with a median rent of $1,922/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 127
- Middle
- 23
- High
- 46
- Other
- 17
Resources
School Districts (8)
Summit Public School: Olympus
1 school · 148 students
Summit Public School: Sierra
1 school · 221 students
Rainier Prep Charter School District
1 school · 333 students
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
1 school · 163 students
Summit Public School: Atlas
1 school · 545 students
Highline School District
43 schools · 17,823 students
Renton School District
31 schools · 15,081 students
Seattle School District No. 1
109 schools · 50,770 students
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
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 Seattle, Washington
How many schools are in Seattle, Washington?
Seattle has 213 schools, including 123 public and 90 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Seattle, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Seattle is 6.7 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 Seattle, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Seattle on MySchoolScout is West Woodland Elementary School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Seattle, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Seattle on MySchoolScout is West Woodland Elementary School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Seattle, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Seattle on MySchoolScout is Rainier Prep with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best high school in Seattle, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Seattle on MySchoolScout is Lincoln High School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Seattle, Washington?
Seattle is served by 8 school districts: Summit Public School: Olympus, Summit Public School: Sierra, Rainier Prep Charter School District, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, Summit Public School: Atlas, Highline School District, Renton School District, Seattle School District No. 1.
What is the education level in Seattle, Washington?
According to Census data, 59% of adults in Seattle have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Seattle, Washington?
The median household income in Seattle is approximately $116,181 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Seattle, Washington?
Yes, Seattle has 90 private schools alongside 123 public schools. The top-rated private school is Seattle Country Day School with a score of 8.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Seattle, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Seattle is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Seattle, 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.