Average
#994 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 45% in state
Garfield High School
High School · Seattle School District No. 1
400 23 Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Enrollment
1,641
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,641
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#65 of 89
public schools
Washington high schools
#156 of 476
In district
#77 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Garfield High School
Garfield High School serves 1,641 students in grades 9-12 in Seattle's vibrant Central District. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering strong academic results that have earned it recognition as one of Washington's better-performing high schools. The school ranks #460 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile with a solid 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating.
Academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with an impressive 9.1 out of 10 academic score and 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels. Garfield draws students from the surrounding 98122 ZIP code area, a diverse neighborhood where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community reflects Seattle's mix of prosperity and challenge, with a median household income of $94,548 and median home values around $938,000, while 15.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
As a regular public high school in Seattle's urban landscape, Garfield High School operates within one of the Pacific Northwest's most dynamic educational environments, serving families from a well-educated community that values academic achievement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Garfield High School is 24.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Garfield High School — Students at Garfield High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.
How Garfield High School Compares
See how Garfield High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 47% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 73.4% (2024).
Location
400 23 Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garfield High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Summit Public School: Sierra (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Middle College High School (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nova High School Seattle | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| SEATTLE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seattle | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Washington Middle School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| SEATTLE GIRLS SCHOOL Seattle | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| MENACHEM MENDEL SEATTLE CHEDER DAY SCHOOL Seattle | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Leschi Elementary School Seattle | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Seattle World School Seattle | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| BRIGHT WATER WALDORF SCHOOL Seattle | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Madrona K-5 School Seattle | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Interagency Detention School Seattle | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle | 0.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Thurgood Marshall Elementary Seattle | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| ST THERESE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Seattle | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Seattle | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| SEATTLE SCHOOL FOR BOYS Seattle | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| HAMLIN ROBINSON SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Edmonds S. Meany Middle School Seattle | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Summit Public School: Sierra Seattle | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Middle College High School Seattle | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| THE VALLEY SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,479
Median Home Value
$929,400
Median Rent
$1,991/mo
Population
42,001
College Educated
71.5%
Homeownership
27.9%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garfield High School has a median household income of $106,479. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $929,400, with a median rent of $1,991/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Emerald Ridge High School Puyallup, WA | 6.5 |
| Enumclaw Sr High School Enumclaw, WA | 6.5 |
| Kennewick High School Kennewick, WA | 6.5 |
| Mountain View High School Vancouver, WA | 6.5 |
| Stadium High School Tacoma, WA | 6.5 |
| Todd Beamer High School Federal Way, WA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garfield High School
What grades does Garfield High School serve?
Garfield High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Garfield High School?
Garfield High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,641 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garfield High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Garfield High School is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garfield High School rank in WA?
Garfield High School is ranked #994 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Garfield High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Garfield High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Garfield High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garfield High School has 54.3% math proficiency and 77.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Garfield High School a charter school?
No, Garfield High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garfield High School a Title I school?
No, Garfield High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garfield High School?
38.7% of students at Garfield 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
- 1,641
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-2270
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Seattle School District No. 1- District Enrollment
- 50,770
- Schools in District
- 109
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,806
- District Rank
- #77 of 106
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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