Seattle School District No. 1

Seattle School District No. 1 is Washington's largest urban district, serving 50,770 students across 109 schools. Parents comparing districts in the region will find meaningful scale here — the student body spans a wide range of neighborhoods and grade levels, giving families many options whether they are looking for a neighborhood elementary or a specialized program.

Of the 109 schools in the district, 106 carry a ranking, and the average score across those schools is 7.5 out of 10. That average places the district on competitive ground, but the stronger signal for families is the concentration of high-scoring schools at the top. Five elementary schools land at 9.4 or above, which is uncommon for a district this size. Stevens Elementary School leads the district with a 9.7, the highest score among all ranked schools. Hawthorne Elementary follows at 9.6, and Dearborn Park International School and Whittier Elementary both score 9.5. Rising Star Elementary rounds out the top five at 9.4.

The elementary tier is where the district's performance stands out most clearly. Four schools at 9.5 or higher signals that strong options are distributed across the district rather than concentrated in a single area — an important factor for parents who want a high-performing school close to home. The gap between those top schools and the district average of 7.5 is notable, so families should compare individual school scores carefully rather than relying on the districtwide figure alone.

For parents beginning a school search in Seattle, the sheer number of ranked schools — 106 in total — means there is real variety in performance and program focus. The 7.5 district average provides a useful baseline, but top-performing schools like Stevens and Hawthorne clear that bar by more than two full points. Sorting by school score and cross-referencing with your home address and any specialized program interests will give you the most accurate picture of what is available for your child.