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
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
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Explorer West Middle School compares to 34 public schools serving similar grades in Seattle, WA
Student Demographics
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.
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
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (206) 935-0495
- 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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