Very Good
#474 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 21% in state
The Center School
High School · Seattle School District No. 1
305 HARRISON ST, Seattle, WA 98109
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#44 of 89
public schools
Washington high schools
#40 of 476
In district
#52 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About The Center School
The Center School stands out as an exceptional public high school in Seattle, serving 184 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. This high-performing institution ranks #15 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile and earning an impressive 8.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. Academically, the school excels with 84% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across all grade levels.
The school's 9.6 out of 10 academic score reflects its commitment to educational excellence, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain small class sizes that allow for personalized attention. The Center School draws from Seattle's vibrant South Lake Union area, where families value education highly. The surrounding 98109 ZIP code is home to 32,251 residents, with an impressive 76% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood's median household income of $124,408 and median home value of $941,100 reflect a well-established community with a relatively low poverty rate of 9.1%. Located at 305 Harrison Street in the heart of Seattle, The Center School benefits from an urban environment rich with cultural and professional opportunities that complement its strong academic foundation.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 184 students, The Center 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.
Score Breakdown
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The Center School — Students at The Center School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.4%
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: 5.3/10.
How The Center School Compares
See how The Center School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 44.5% (2019) to 43.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 70.2% (2024).
Location
305 HARRISON ST, Seattle, WA 98109
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Center School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Middle College High School (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John Hay Elementary School Seattle | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| ST ANNE SCHOOL Seattle | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| MORNINGSIDE ACADEMY Seattle | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Queen Anne Elementary Seattle | 1.1 mi | 8.7 |
| SPRUCE ST SCHOOL Seattle | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| McClure Middle School Seattle | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| THE POLYTECH Seattle | 1.0 mi | — |
| SEATTLE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Seattle | 1.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Frantz Coe Elementary School Seattle | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL Seattle | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| FUSION ACADEMY SEATTLE Seattle | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| WOODLAND PARK COOPERATIVE Seattle | 2.0 mi | — |
| O'DEA HIGH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| SEATTLE AMISTAD SCHOOL Seattle | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| B F Day Elementary School Seattle | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Lowell Elementary School Seattle | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Middle College High School Seattle | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Tops K-8 School Seattle | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| BERTSCHI SCHOOL Seattle | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Seattle | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98109 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$130,845
Median Home Value
$986,000
Median Rent
$2,329/mo
Population
32,552
College Educated
78.1%
Homeownership
21.4%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Center School has a median household income of $130,845. It is a well-educated community where 78% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $986,000, with a median rent of $2,329/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Oroville Middle-High School Oroville, WA | 7.7 |
| COLUMBIA ADVENTIST ACADEMY Battle Ground, WA | 7.8 |
| Darrington High School Darrington, WA | 7.6 |
| Avanti High School Olympia, WA | 7.5 |
| CHRYSALIS HIGH SCHOOL Woodinville, WA | 7.9 |
| Cusick Jr Sr High School Cusick, WA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Center School
What grades does The Center School serve?
The Center School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend The Center School?
The Center School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Center School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Center School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Center School rank in WA?
The Center School is ranked #474 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is The Center School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Center School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 The Center School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Center School has 43.6% math proficiency and 80.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is The Center School a charter school?
No, The Center School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is The Center School a Title I school?
No, The Center School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Center School?
17.4% of students at The Center 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
- 184
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-9850
- 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
- #52 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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