Best Schools in Spokane, Washington
122 schools · 70 Elementary · 15 Middle · 24 High · 13 Other
Choosing a school in Spokane?
Use this page to compare every school in Spokane 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.
Libby Center
Elementary · Spokane School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hamblen Elementary
Elementary · Spokane School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Roosevelt Elementary
Elementary · Spokane 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 Spokane for 2026 are Libby Center (9.3/10), Hamblen Elementary (8.9/10), and Roosevelt Elementary (8.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
122
94 public · 28 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$351,729
home value · ACS
Districts
11
serving the city
Schools
122
94 public · 28 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$351,729
home value · ACS
Districts
11
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 71% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 Spokane schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +15.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Spokane schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Spokane
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 122). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libby Center | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Hamblen Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Roosevelt Elementary | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Skyline Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Franklin Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Hutton Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Prairie View Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Wilson Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Moran Prairie Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Carla Peperzak Middle School | 8.6 / 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
- $69,787
- Median home value
- $351,729
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Spokane compares
Washington rank
#87 of 193
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Washington avg (6.4)
Median household income
$70k
78% of Washington median
Schools in this city
106
Education Snapshot
Spokane, WashingtonSpokane spans 122 schools across 11 districts, enrolling roughly 49,028 students in a level mix that skews elementary — 70 elementary campuses against 24 high schools, 15 middle schools, and 13 other or combined programs. The city's average MySchoolScout composite of 6.3/10 across 106 scored schools trails the Washington state average of 6.4/10 by a narrow margin, placing Spokane just below its statewide peers. Charter alternatives are limited to 3 schools, so district publics define the practical choice for most families. Median household income of $76,992 runs 23% below Washington's state median of $99,416 — a gap that often correlates with per-campus resource levels — while 34% of Spokane adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The 11-district structure means variation across schools is substantial; individual ratings in the list below will show meaningful spread above and below the city composite.
About Schools in Spokane, Washington
Spokane's public school system spans 68 ranked schools, giving families a wide selection across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The city's average school score sits at 6.8 out of 10 — a solid baseline, though performance varies considerably across neighborhoods. Parents willing to research specific campuses will find meaningful differences from one school to the next.
The most encouraging signal: 31 of Spokane's 68 ranked schools, or 46 percent, score 7 or higher out of 10. That means nearly half the city's public schools land in the upper performance tier, which is a stronger distribution than many comparably sized cities can claim. Shaw Middle School leads the entire city with a 9.3 out of 10, making it one of the standout public middle schools in the region. Strong elementary options cluster close behind — Browne Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary each earn a 9.2, while Balboa Elementary scores 9.1 and Whitman Elementary rounds out the top five at 9.0. Parents of younger children have multiple high-performing elementary choices to consider, depending on where they live or where they're willing to drive.
Below that top tier, scores spread across a wide range, and some schools in the city fall noticeably below the 6.8 average. School quality in Spokane is genuinely uneven, so address-based school assignments matter. Families in certain zones will land in a top-quartile school automatically; others may want to explore open enrollment or magnet options to access higher-rated campuses.
The practical takeaway for parents: Spokane offers real opportunity at the top end, but the gap between its best and its lower-scoring schools is wide enough to make location and school selection a meaningful decision. Start by identifying which schools serve your address, then compare those scores against the city's 6.8 average. If your assigned school falls well below that mark, it's worth asking the district about transfer options. The concentration of high-scoring elementary schools also suggests that families with younger children may have more competitive choices available than those navigating middle or high school assignments.
Elementary Schools
70 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 287 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 483 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 431 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.9 |
| 4 | 395 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 417 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.8 |
| 6 | 474 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.8 |
| 7 | 377 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.6 |
| 8 | 302 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.6 |
| 9 | 442 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.6 |
| 10 | 329 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.5 |
Show all 70 elementary schools in Spokane
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 484 students · 6th–8th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 985 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 693 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 4 | 767 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 810 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 6 | 617 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 406 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
| 8 | 551 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 581 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 10 | 612 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
Show all 15 middle schools in Spokane
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
24 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 62 students · 12th–12th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 1,805 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 377 students · 10th–12th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 157 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 5 | 1,674 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
| 6 | 95 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 7 | 443 students · 6th–12th | 5.8 |
| 8 | 1,624 students · 6th–12th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 99 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 10 | 1,672 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Show all 24 high schools in Spokane
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 754 students · Kindergarten–10th | 6.1 | ||
| 3 | 674 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.4 | ||
| 4 | 279 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.2 | ||
| 5 | 15 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| 6 | 9 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St George's School
Private
304 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | St Michael's Academy
Private
124 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | Excelsior Youth Center
Private
35 students · 4th–11th | 6.6 | ||
| 4 | Salish School of Spokane
Private
37 students · Pre-K–9th | 6.3 | ||
Show all 13 other schools in Spokane
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Spokane
Spokane, Washington · 122 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 14 ZIP codes
Median Income
$69,787
Median Home Value
$351,729
Median Rent
$1,178/mo
Population
388,075
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
57%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Community Profile
Spokane has a median household income of $69,787. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $351,729, with a median rent of $1,178/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Washington
- Elementary
- 70
- Middle
- 15
- High
- 24
- Other
- 13
Resources
School Districts (11)
Educational Service District 101
4 schools · 173 students
Spokane International Academy
1 school · 754 students
PRIDE Prep Charter School District
1 school · 443 students
Lumen Public School
1 school · 27 students
Cheney School District
13 schools · 5,658 students
East Valley School District (Spokane)
9 schools · 3,594 students
Great Northern School District
1 school · 40 students
Mead School District
17 schools · 10,410 students
Orchard Prairie School District
1 school · 74 students
Spokane School District
69 schools · 28,586 students
West Valley School District (Spokane)
13 schools · 3,408 students
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 Spokane, Washington
How many schools are in Spokane, Washington?
Spokane has 122 schools, including 94 public and 28 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Spokane, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Spokane 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 Spokane, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Spokane on MySchoolScout is Libby Center with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Spokane, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Spokane on MySchoolScout is Libby Center with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Spokane, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Spokane on MySchoolScout is Carla Peperzak Middle School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Spokane, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Spokane on MySchoolScout is Mead Senior High School with a composite score of 7.4/10.
How many school districts serve Spokane, Washington?
Spokane is served by 11 school districts: Educational Service District 101, Spokane International Academy, Pride Prep Charter School District, Lumen Public School, Cheney School District, East Valley School District (spokane), Great Northern School District, Mead School District, Orchard Prairie School District, Spokane School District, West Valley School District (spokane).
What is the education level in Spokane, Washington?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Spokane have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Spokane, Washington?
The median household income in Spokane is approximately $69,787 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Spokane, Washington?
Yes, Spokane has 28 private schools alongside 94 public schools. The top-rated private school is St George's School with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Spokane, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Spokane is 14.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Spokane, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.