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Very Good

#694 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 31% in state

Mercer Island High School

High School · Mercer Island School District

9100 SE 42nd, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Enrollment

1,465

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mercer Island

#5 of 6

public schools

Washington high schools

#88 of 476

In district

#5 of 6

Mercer Island School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Mercer Island High School

Mercer Island High School serves 1,465 students in grades 9-12 in this affluent island community just east of Seattle. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1 and 74 full-time equivalent teachers, the school has earned strong recognition for academic excellence, ranking #108 out of 2,261 Washington high schools and placing in the 95th percentile statewide. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with an outstanding 94% of students achieving proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels.

This strong showing has contributed to the school's 9.9 out of 10 academic score and overall MySchoolScout rating of 7.9. Students at Mercer Island High School benefit from being part of a highly educated community where 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code 98040 has a median household income of $190,985 and a low poverty rate of just 5.3%, reflecting the area's economic stability.

Located in a large suburban setting on Mercer Island, the school sits in one of the Puget Sound region's most desirable residential communities, where the median home value reaches $1,683,600. This well-established island setting provides students with both academic opportunity and the benefits of a close-knit, resource-rich community environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.9%
Math vs. State Avg+44.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation38.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,431

Mercer Island High School — Students at Mercer Island High School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

7.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 80.6%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 89.8%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
90%
ELA
99.5%
2022
ELA
94%
2024
Math
75.9%
ELA
82.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Mercer Island High School Compares

See how Mercer Island High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in WA
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

9100 SE 42nd, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mercer Island High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Newport Senior High School (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Bellevue), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bellevue High School (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Bellevue), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NORTHWEST YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mercer Island, see our Mercer Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MONICA SCHOOL Mercer Island 0.2 mi 6.7
Northwood Elementary School Mercer Island 0.2 mi 9.1
PRIVETT ACADEMY Mercer Island 0.5 mi
YELLOW WOOD ACADEMY Mercer Island 0.6 mi 8.2
West Mercer Elementary Mercer Island 0.6 mi 8.8
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PUGET SOUND Mercer Island 0.6 mi 7.8
NORTHWEST YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL Mercer Island 1.0 mi 6.9
EARLY WORLD MONTESSORI Mercer Island 1.0 mi
Island Park Elementary Mercer Island 1.3 mi 9.2
CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER LLC Mercer Island 1.4 mi
Enatai Elementary School Bellevue 1.5 mi 6.8
Islander Middle School Mercer Island 2.4 mi 6.5
Bellevue High School Bellevue 2.4 mi 7.5
Lakeridge Elementary School Mercer Island 2.8 mi 8.4
Newport Heights Elementary Bellevue 2.1 mi 8.5
Vera Risdon Middle School Newcastle 2.7 mi 6.3
Medina Elementary School Medina 3.2 mi 8.3
Newport Senior High School Bellevue 2.2 mi 8.0
Hazelwood Elementary School Newcastle 2.9 mi 9.2
Woodridge Elementary Bellevue 2.6 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$202,359

Median Home Value

$1,884,200

Median Rent

$2,464/mo

Population

25,282

College Educated

78.8%

Homeownership

66%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

45.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mercer Island High School has a median household income of $202,359. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,884,200, with a median rent of $2,464/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Central Kitsap High School Silverdale, WA 7.2
Roosevelt High School Seattle, WA 7.2
Shorecrest High School Shoreline, WA 7.2
Squalicum High School Bellingham, WA 7.2
Lincoln High School Seattle, WA 7.3
Everett High School Everett, WA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mercer Island High School

What grades does Mercer Island High School serve?

Mercer Island High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mercer Island High School?

Mercer Island High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,465 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mercer Island High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mercer Island High School is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mercer Island High School rank in WA?

Mercer Island High School is ranked #694 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Mercer Island High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mercer Island High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Mercer Island High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mercer Island High School has 80.6% math proficiency and 89.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mercer Island High School a charter school?

No, Mercer Island High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mercer Island High School a Title I school?

No, Mercer Island High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mercer Island High School?

7.2% of students at Mercer Island 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,278/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mercer Island). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,465
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
7.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mercer Island School District
District Enrollment
3,975
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,288
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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