Very Good
#426 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 19% in state
Emerson High School
High School · Lake Washington School District
10903 NE 53rd ST, Kirkland, WA 98033
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kirkland
#11 of 24
public schools
Washington high schools
#33 of 476
In district
#24 of 53
Lake Washington School District
Academic growth
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Emerson High School
Emerson High School serves grades 9-12 as an alternative school in Kirkland, Washington, with an enrollment of just 64 students. This intimate educational environment provides a remarkably low student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, with 9 full-time equivalent teachers creating personalized learning opportunities for each student. Despite its small size, Emerson High School demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 23rd out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile.
The school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence, with 75% of students achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. As an alternative school, Emerson likely serves students who benefit from a non-traditional educational approach, yet maintains rigorous academic standards that rival the state's top-performing schools. The small class sizes allow for individualized attention and support that can help students reach their full potential.
The school is situated in Kirkland's affluent 98033 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $163,786 and 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a community deeply invested in educational achievement.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 64 students, Emerson High 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 7.1:1, Emerson High 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.
Score Breakdown
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Emerson High School — Students at Emerson High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.
How Emerson High School Compares
See how Emerson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 31.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 52.6% (2024).
Location
10903 NE 53rd ST, Kirkland, WA 98033
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Emerson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. International Community School (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lake Washington High School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EASTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kirkland, see our Kirkland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northstar Middle School Kirkland | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Emerson K-12 Kirkland | 0.0 mi | 6.9 |
| KIRKLAND CHILDRENS SCHOOL Kirkland | 0.1 mi | — |
| Community School Kirkland | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| International Community School Kirkland | 0.6 mi | 8.2 |
| CEDAR CREST ACADEMY KIRKLAND Kirkland | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| EASTSIDE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Kirkland | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| CHESTNUT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellevue | 0.9 mi | — |
| Lakeview Elementary Kirkland | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| LINDAMOOD-BELL LEARNING PROCESSES BELLEVUE Bellevue | 1.2 mi | — |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Kirkland | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| THE LITTLE SCHOOL Bellevue | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Lake Washington High School Kirkland | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary Kirkland | 1.1 mi | 8.9 |
| OVERLAKE SPECIALTY SCHOOL Bellevue | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| BELLEVUE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellevue | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| CEDAR CREST ACADEMY - BELLEWOOD CAMPUS Bellevue | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| CEDAR CREST ACADEMY BELLEWOOD Bellevue | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Cherry Crest Elementary School Bellevue | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Clyde Hill Elementary Bellevue | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$174,005
Median Home Value
$1,259,900
Median Rent
$2,386/mo
Population
40,662
College Educated
73.3%
Homeownership
63.8%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
6%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Emerson High School has a median household income of $174,005. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,259,900, with a median rent of $2,386/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Palouse High School Palouse, WA | 7.8 |
| Choice Academy Kingston, WA | 7.7 |
| Creston Jr-Sr High School Creston, WA | 7.7 |
| Pace Alternative High School Wapato, WA | 7.7 |
| Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle, WA | 7.9 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham, WA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Emerson High School
What grades does Emerson High School serve?
Emerson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Emerson High School?
Emerson High School has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Emerson High School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Emerson High School rank in WA?
Emerson High School is ranked #426 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Emerson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Emerson High 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.
What are the test scores at Emerson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson High School has 29.4% math proficiency and 51.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Emerson High School a charter school?
No, Emerson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Emerson High School a Title I school?
No, Emerson High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerson High School?
39.1% of students at Emerson High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 64
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (425) 936-2300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lake Washington School District- District Enrollment
- 30,882
- Schools in District
- 57
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,053
- District Rank
- #24 of 53
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 methodologyRelated reading
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