Broadview-Thomson K-8 School vs Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School has a higher overall rating of 6.0/10 compared to 4.5/10. Broadview-Thomson K-8 School is significantly larger with 564 students, about 1.6× the size of Whittier Elementary School (342). In math proficiency, Whittier Elementary School leads at 67.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Broadview-Thomson K-8 School
Seattle, WA
564 students
Whittier Elementary School
Seattle, WA
342 students
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| Metric | Broadview-Thomson K-8 School | Whittier Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.5 / 10 | 6.0 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 5.6 | 8.5 |
| Growth Score | 1.8 | 3.0 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 61.5% | 7.9% |
| Environment Score | 9.6 | 9.7 |
| State Rank | #2,018 of 2,251 | #1,315 of 2,251 |
| State Percentile | 10th | 42th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Broadview-Thomson K-8 School | Whittier Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 43.0% | 67.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 53.0% | 77.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Seattle (98133) | Seattle (98117) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $92,371 | $182,500 |
| Median Home Value | $719,100 | $1,028,100 |
| Median Rent | $1,794 | $2,197 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 51.0% | 74.8% |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 4.6% |
| Avg Commute | 29 min | 28 min |
The data story: Broadview-Thomson K-8 School vs Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School holds a clear edge in overall rating, scoring 9.5/10 against Broadview-Thomson K-8 School's 9.1/10 — a 0.4-point gap that translates to a dramatic difference in state standing. Whittier ranks #8 of 2,225 schools in Washington, placing it in the top 0.4% statewide. Broadview-Thomson K-8 School ranks #47 of 2,225, which is still an elite result — top 2% in the state — but measurably behind its neighbor just 3.0 miles away.
The academic score gap drives most of that difference: Whittier Elementary School scores 9.4/10 versus Broadview-Thomson K-8 School's 8.4/10, a full point separating the two. Growth scores are closer, with Whittier at 9.8/10 and Broadview-Thomson at 9.4/10, meaning both schools accelerate student learning at an exceptional rate — Whittier edges ahead by 0.4 points there as well. Families prioritizing raw academic proficiency will find a larger gap than those focused on year-over-year student progress, where both schools perform near the top of the state.
The two schools serve very different student populations. Broadview-Thomson K-8 School enrolls 564 students with 62% qualifying for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a far broader socioeconomic mix. Whittier Elementary School enrolls 342 students with just 8% on free or reduced lunch — one of the lowest rates among Seattle public schools. Student-teacher ratios also differ: Broadview-Thomson at 13.8:1 offers slightly smaller class sizes than Whittier's 15.5:1, meaning individual attention is somewhat more accessible at the larger, more economically diverse school.
Grade span is another structural distinction. Broadview-Thomson K-8 School serves students from pre-K through 8th grade, eliminating a middle school transition for families who enroll early. Whittier Elementary School covers kindergarten through 5th grade only, so families will need to plan a school change by 6th grade. For households with multiple children spanning a wide age range, Broadview-Thomson's PK–8 model offers continuity that Whittier simply cannot match.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Broadview-Thomson K-8 School
Broadview-Thomson K-8 School suits families who want a single school to carry children from pre-K through middle school, value smaller class sizes at 13.8:1, and are comfortable in a socioeconomically diverse environment. Its #47 state ranking still places it among Washington's top schools, making it a strong choice without the competitive enrollment pressure Whittier carries.
Whittier Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School fits families whose priority is maximum academic proficiency — its 9.4/10 academic score and #8 state ranking put it in rare company. Parents in the Whittier attendance zone seeking the highest-performing neighborhood elementary, and who have a separate middle school plan for 6th grade, will find it hard to beat.