Alki Elementary School vs Whittier Elementary School

Whittier Elementary School ranks #8 of 2,225 schools in Washington, compared to Alki Elementary School at #66 of 2,225 — a 58-position gap that places Whittier among the top 0.4% of schools statewide. On the 10-point overall scale, Whittier scores 9.5 to Alki's 9.0, a 0.5-point difference that reflects consistent advantages across every measured dimension. Both schools sit well above average, but Whittier's state rank separates it from nearly the entire Washington elementary field.

Academically, Whittier Elementary School scores 9.4 to Alki Elementary School's 9.1 — a 0.3-point gap on a compressed high end of the scale. Growth scores are tighter: Whittier at 9.8 versus Alki at 9.6, a 0.2-point difference suggesting both schools accelerate student learning effectively relative to peers, with Whittier holding a slight edge. These are the two dimensions most predictive of long-term student outcomes, and Whittier leads in both.

Whittier Elementary School enrolls 342 students compared to Alki Elementary School's 270, yet achieves a lower student-teacher ratio: 15.5:1 versus 18.0:1. That difference of 2.5 students per teacher translates to meaningfully more instructional attention per child at Whittier. On free and reduced lunch eligibility, Alki serves 14% of students qualifying versus 8% at Whittier, indicating Whittier draws from a somewhat more economically advantaged population — a factor that correlates with PTA fundraising capacity and family support resources.

One structural distinction separates the two schools at entry: Alki Elementary School serves grades PK through 5, offering a prekindergarten program for families seeking school-based early childhood education, while Whittier Elementary School begins at kindergarten. The two campuses sit 7.5 miles apart across Seattle, making them a realistic choice comparison for families near either the Alki or Whittier neighborhoods rather than a crosstown tradeoff.