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Very Good

#36 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 9% of private schools

Bright Water Waldorf School

Elementary School

1414 S WELLER ST, Seattle, WA 98144

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 33 schools in Seattle. Learn more

Enrollment

66

Student-Teacher

3.5:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Seattle

#7 of 68

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#19 of 231

About Bright Water Waldorf School

Bright Water Waldorf School serves 66 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Seattle's vibrant 98144 neighborhood. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.5:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where each child receives individualized attention. The school has earned recognition for its academic approach, ranking 85th out of 381 elementary schools statewide and earning a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout.

This places Bright Water Waldorf in the 78th percentile among Washington elementary schools, indicating strong performance compared to peers across the state. Located on South Weller Street, the school sits in an educated and economically stable community where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects Seattle's urban character, with a median household income of $97,953 and median home values of $857,100, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 9.5%.

As a regular public school offering the distinctive Waldorf educational philosophy, Bright Water provides families with an alternative approach to traditional public education within Seattle's diverse school landscape. The school operates in the heart of one of America's major metropolitan areas, giving students access to the cultural and educational opportunities that come with big-city living.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 66 students, Bright Water Waldorf School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 3.5:1, Bright Water Waldorf School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Bright Water Waldorf School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2019 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$48,734
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$51,310
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.05x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
93%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.3M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 66 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Bright Water Waldorf School compares to 104 public schools serving similar grades in Seattle, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
3.5:1
This School
vs
15.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
66
This School
vs
394
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.8
This School
vs
7.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 68.2% vs 0%
Asian 21.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.1% vs 0%
Black 4.5% vs 0%
Bright Water Waldorf School Seattle Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Bright Water Waldorf School (this school) 7.8
Bailey Gatzert Elementary School 9.1
Washington Middle School 6.0
Interagency Detention School 5.9
Thurgood Marshall Elementary 7.6
Beacon Hill International School 8.4
Leschi Elementary School 8.5
Seattle World School 6.5
Madrona K-5 School 7.2
Private School Services 6.7
Interagency Programs 6.0
Kimball Elementary School 7.6
Edmonds S. Meany Middle School 4.6
Lowell Elementary School 5.6
John Muir Elementary School 6.8
Mercer International Middle School 6.4
Stevens Elementary School 9.7
Hawthorne Elementary School 9.6
Maple Elementary School 9.1
McGilvra Elementary School 7.8
Montlake Elementary School 9.0

Showing 20 of 104 schools. View all schools in Seattle

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 3.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,258
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 48%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 66
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 68.2%
Asian 21.2%
Hispanic 6.1%
Black 4.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1414 S WELLER ST, Seattle, WA 98144

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bright Water Waldorf School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bailey Gatzert Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beacon Hill International School (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thurgood Marshall Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle 0.3 mi 9.1
MENACHEM MENDEL SEATTLE CHEDER DAY SCHOOL Seattle 0.3 mi 6.1
Summit Public School: Sierra Seattle 0.3 mi 8.6
Interagency Detention School Seattle 0.5 mi 5.9
Washington Middle School Seattle 0.4 mi 6.0
SEATTLE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seattle 0.5 mi 5.8
HAMLIN ROBINSON SCHOOL Seattle 0.7 mi 7.6
Garfield High School Seattle 0.7 mi 6.6
PUGET SOUNDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Seattle 0.6 mi 6.8
ONEWORLD NOW! Seattle 0.6 mi 4.7
Beacon Hill International School Seattle 0.9 mi 8.4
Middle College High School Seattle 0.9 mi 8.3
Thurgood Marshall Elementary Seattle 0.8 mi 7.6
SEATTLE GIRLS SCHOOL Seattle 0.7 mi 7.2
LAKE WASHINGTON GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Seattle 1.0 mi 7.8
GIDDENS SCHOOL Seattle 1.0 mi 7.3
Nova High School Seattle 0.9 mi 5.5
SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Seattle 1.1 mi 7.1
Seattle World School Seattle 1.1 mi 6.5
O'DEA HIGH SCHOOL Seattle 0.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$94,051

Median Home Value

$890,400

Median Rent

$1,805/mo

Population

33,048

College Educated

62.4%

Homeownership

46.1%

Avg Commute

26.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bright Water Waldorf School has a median household income of $94,051. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $890,400, with a median rent of $1,805/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
NORTH SEATTLE FRENCH SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.8
Satsop Elementary Satsop, WA 7.8
Walla Walla Center for Children and Families Walla Walla, WA 7.8
JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF METROPOLITAN SEATTLE Bellevue, WA 7.9
Orchard Prairie Elementary Spokane, WA 7.9
Inchelium Elementary School Inchelium, WA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bright Water Waldorf School

What grades does Bright Water Waldorf School serve?

Bright Water Waldorf School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Bright Water Waldorf School?

Bright Water Waldorf School has an enrollment of approximately 66 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bright Water Waldorf School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bright Water Waldorf School is 3.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Bright Water Waldorf School rank in WA?

Bright Water Waldorf School is ranked #36 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is Bright Water Waldorf School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bright Water Waldorf School has a composite rating of 7.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Bright Water Waldorf School a private school?

Yes, Bright Water Waldorf School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Bright Water Waldorf School a religious school?

No, Bright Water Waldorf School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
84 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
76 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
66
Gender Split
45% M / 55% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
3.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
185 days
Setting
Large City
County
KING
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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