Best Schools in Shelton, Washington
16 schools · 7 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Shelton?
Use this page to compare every school in Shelton 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.
Southside Elementary
Elementary · Southside School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cedar High School
High · Shelton School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hood Canal Elementary School
Elementary · Hood Canal 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 Shelton for 2026 are Southside Elementary (7.5/10), Cedar High School (7.4/10), and Hood Canal Elementary School (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 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
16
14 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$365,200
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
16
14 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$365,200
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Rates 7.3/10 despite 81% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 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 Shelton schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +15.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Shelton schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Shelton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (13 of 16). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southside Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Cedar High School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Hood Canal Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Bordeaux Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Pioneer Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Mason County Christian School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Mountain View Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Choice Middle and High School | 4.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Pioneer Elementary School | 3.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Evergreen Elementary School | 3.7 / 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
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $73,149
- Median home value
- $365,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
31% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Shelton compares
Washington rank
#170 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.2
below Washington avg (6.4)
Median household income
$73k
82% of Washington median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Shelton, Washington
Shelton, Washington is home to 16 schools, including 14 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in Shelton 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 Shelton is Southside Elementary with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Shelton is served by 4 school districts. These districts collectively serve 5,816 students.
Shelton's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,149. The poverty rate in the area is 15.5%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 211 students · Kindergarten–7th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 334 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.3 | ||
| 3 | 514 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.3 | ||
| 4 | 647 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.5 | ||
| 5 | 492 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 6 | 438 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.7 | ||
| 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 | Shelton Valley Christian School
Private
18 students · Kindergarten–6th | — | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 252 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 2 | 595 students · 5th–6th | 3.3 |
| 3 | 550 students · 7th–8th | 3.0 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 177 students · 7th–12th | 4.0 |
| 3 | 1,493 students · 9th–12th | 2.8 |
| 4 | 5 students · 7th–12th | — |
| 5 | 23 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mason County Christian School
Private
141 students · Kindergarten–10th | 5.6 |
Schools in Shelton
Shelton, Washington · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$73,149
Median Home Value
$365,200
Median Rent
$1,250/mo
Population
40,036
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Community Profile
Shelton has a median household income of $73,149. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $365,200, with a median rent of $1,250/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 5
- 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 Shelton, Washington
How many schools are in Shelton, Washington?
Shelton has 16 schools, including 14 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Shelton, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Shelton is 5.2 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 Shelton, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Shelton on MySchoolScout is Southside Elementary with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Shelton, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Shelton on MySchoolScout is Southside Elementary with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Shelton, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Shelton on MySchoolScout is Pioneer Middle School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in Shelton, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Shelton on MySchoolScout is Cedar High School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve Shelton, Washington?
Shelton is served by 4 school districts: Hood Canal School District, Pioneer School District, Shelton School District, Southside School District.
What is the education level in Shelton, Washington?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Shelton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Shelton, Washington?
The median household income in Shelton is approximately $73,149 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Shelton, Washington?
Yes, Shelton has 2 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Mason County Christian School with a score of 5.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Shelton, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Shelton is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Shelton, 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.