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
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
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher
3.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Bright Water Waldorf School compares to 104 public schools serving similar grades in Seattle, WA
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (206) 624-6176
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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