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Very Good

#81 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 21% of private schools

Explorer West Middle School

Middle School

10015 28TH AVE SW, Seattle, WA 98146

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Seattle

#23 of 68

public schools

Washington middle schools

#4 of 13

About Explorer West Middle School

Explorer West Middle School serves 100 students in grades 6 through 8 in Seattle's King County, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptional 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 12 full-time equivalent teachers, this small regular public school provides personalized attention that larger institutions often cannot match. The school has earned a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 216th among Washington's 381 middle schools, placing it in the 44th percentile statewide.

This performance reflects a school that serves its community well while maintaining steady academic standards. Explorer West operates in the 98146 ZIP code area, where the median household income reaches $101,051 and median home values sit at $595,600. The surrounding community of nearly 28,000 residents includes 35% with bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%.

These demographics suggest a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class neighborhood that values education. The school's compact size creates opportunities for strong teacher-student relationships and individualized learning approaches that can benefit students across all academic levels. Explorer West Middle School sits in a large suburban setting that combines the resources of urban proximity with the space and community feel of suburban living.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Explorer West Middle 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 8.6:1, Explorer West Middle 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, Explorer West Middle 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 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$28,142
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$28,050
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.00x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
83%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$8.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 100 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Explorer West Middle School compares to 34 public schools serving similar grades in Seattle, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
This School
vs
17.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
100
This School
vs
503
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 70% vs 0%
Hispanic 14% vs 0%
Asian 5% vs 0%
Black 3% vs 0%
Explorer West Middle School Seattle Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Explorer West Middle School (this school) 7.4
Bridges Transition 4.1
Summit Public School: Atlas 5.7
David T. Denny International Middle School 5.8
Cascade Middle School 4.7
Rainier Prep 8.9
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 4.6
Pathfinder K-8 School 5.4
Madison Middle School 7.2
Mercer International Middle School 6.4
South Shore PK-8 School 5.8
Aki Kurose Middle School 7.7
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy 5.3
Private School Services 6.7
Interagency Programs 6.0
Orca K-8 School 4.9
CHOICE Academy 6.8
Talley High School 4.7
Dimmitt Middle School 4.5
Washington Middle School 6.0
Interagency Detention School 5.9

Showing 20 of 34 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- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,197
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 46%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 100
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 70.0%
Hispanic 14.0%
Asian 5.0%
Two or More 5.0%
Black 3.0%
Native American 2.0%
Pacific Islander 1.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

10015 28TH AVE SW, Seattle, WA 98146

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Explorer West Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. David T. Denny International Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Cascade Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
THE BRIDGE SCHOOL Seattle 0.2 mi 5.2
Bridges Transition Seattle 0.3 mi 4.1
THE COMMUNITY OF WEST SEATTLE Seattle 0.5 mi
Summit Public School: Atlas Seattle 0.5 mi 5.7
Arbor Heights Elementary School Seattle 0.5 mi 8.0
Shorewood Elementary Burien 1.0 mi 6.1
Chief Sealth International High School Seattle 1.1 mi 6.0
David T. Denny International Middle School Seattle 1.2 mi 5.8
WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI Seattle 1.0 mi 6.2
Mount View Elementary Seattle 1.0 mi 7.4
Roxhill Elementary School Seattle 1.4 mi 5.8
TAPROOT SCHOOL Seattle 1.1 mi
Highland Park Elementary School Seattle 1.3 mi 8.4
White Center Heights Elementary Seattle 1.2 mi 7.5
Cascade Middle School Seattle 1.3 mi 4.7
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Seattle 1.8 mi 7.3
Evergreen High School Seattle 1.5 mi 5.9
Sanislo Elementary School Seattle 1.9 mi 8.5
West Seattle Elementary School Seattle 2.0 mi 9.0
ONE SCHOOL GLOBAL NORTH AMERICA SEATTLE CAMPUS Seattle 1.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98146 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,460

Median Home Value

$642,300

Median Rent

$1,721/mo

Population

28,182

College Educated

37.2%

Homeownership

66.7%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Explorer West Middle School has a median household income of $108,460. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $642,300, with a median rent of $1,721/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
SEATTLE GIRLS SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.2
Selkirk Middle School Ione, WA 7.2
Northstar Middle School Kirkland, WA 7.1
LAKE WASHINGTON GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.8
BILLINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.9
Bryant Montessori Middle School Tacoma, WA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Explorer West Middle School

What grades does Explorer West Middle School serve?

Explorer West Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Explorer West Middle School?

Explorer West Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorer West Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Explorer West Middle School is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Explorer West Middle School rank in WA?

Explorer West Middle School is ranked #81 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is Explorer West Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Explorer West Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Explorer West Middle School a private school?

Yes, Explorer West Middle 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 Explorer West Middle School a religious school?

No, Explorer West Middle School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
53 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
100
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
171 days
Setting
Large Suburb
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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