Average
#1063 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 48% in state
Rainier Beach High School
High School · Seattle School District No. 1
8815 SEWARD PARK AV S, Seattle, WA 98118
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#67 of 89
public schools
Washington high schools
#174 of 476
In district
#79 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Rainier Beach High School
Rainier Beach High School serves grades 9–12 in Seattle's South End, with an enrollment of 765 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.6 to 1. As a regular public high school, it provides a traditional educational setting within a large urban community. Academically, the school is working toward significant improvement.
Current proficiency levels show that 42% of students meet or exceed standards in ELA and reading, while math and science proficiency rates are considerably lower at 17% and 16% respectively. The school's academic score of 1.9 out of 10 reflects these challenges, and it ranks in the lower percentile statewide. These figures suggest the school is navigating substantial academic growth opportunities and may benefit from focused intervention in math and science instruction.
With 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Rainier Beach has the staffing foundation to support its student body. The school's location on Seward Park Avenue places it in an established Seattle neighborhood with access to the city's urban resources and community services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Rainier Beach High School — Students at Rainier Beach High School score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
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 Rainier Beach High School Compares
See how Rainier Beach High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 11.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 31.3% (2024).
Location
8815 SEWARD PARK AV S, Seattle, WA 98118
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rainier Beach High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alan T. Sugiyama High School (rated 7.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Raisbeck Aviation High School (rated 7.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Tukwila), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy (rated 5.3/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| South Shore PK-8 School Seattle | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Dunlap Elementary School Seattle | 0.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Emerson Elementary School Seattle | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| DERECH EMUNAH Seattle | 1.3 mi | — |
| DERECH EMUNAH DBA SEATTLE JEWISH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.3 mi | — |
| Wing Luke Elementary School Seattle | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Seattle | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Graham Hill Elementary School Seattle | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Rising Star Elementary School Seattle | 1.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Rainier Valley Leadership Academy Seattle | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Rainier View Elementary School Seattle | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Aki Kurose Middle School Seattle | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| TORAH ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Seattle | 2.0 mi | — |
| SEATTLE NATIVITY SCHOOL Seattle | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Orca K-8 School Seattle | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Raisbeck Aviation High School Tukwila | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Campbell Hill Elementary School Seattle | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Lakeridge Elementary School Seattle | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Lakeridge Elementary School Mercer Island | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98118 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$109,085
Median Home Value
$746,400
Median Rent
$1,831/mo
Population
49,560
College Educated
49%
Homeownership
57.5%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rainier Beach High School has a median household income of $109,085. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $746,400, with a median rent of $1,831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Blaine High School Blaine, WA | 6.5 |
| Charles Francis Adams High School Clarkston, WA | 6.5 |
| J M Weatherwax High School Aberdeen, WA | 6.5 |
| LAKESIDE SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.5 |
| Tacoma School of the Arts Tacoma, WA | 6.5 |
| Toppenish High School Toppenish, WA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rainier Beach High School
What grades does Rainier Beach High School serve?
Rainier Beach High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Rainier Beach High School?
Rainier Beach High School has an enrollment of approximately 765 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rainier Beach High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rainier Beach High School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rainier Beach High School rank in WA?
Rainier Beach High School is ranked #1063 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Rainier Beach High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rainier Beach High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Rainier Beach High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rainier Beach High School has 16.5% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rainier Beach High School a charter school?
No, Rainier Beach High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rainier Beach High School a Title I school?
No, Rainier Beach High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rainier Beach High School?
80.3% of students at Rainier Beach 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
- City Safety
- High (5,803/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 765
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-6350
- 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
- #79 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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