Very Good
#46 of 381 private schools in WA
Top 12% of private schools
The Northwest School
High School
1415 SUMMIT AVE, Seattle, WA 98122
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 33 schools in Seattle. Learn more
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Seattle
#12 of 68
public schools
Washington high schools
#8 of 43
About The Northwest School
The Northwest School serves 453 students in grades 6 through 12 as a public school located on Summit Avenue in Seattle. With 64 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 7.1:1 student-teacher ratio, providing students with significant individual attention and small class sizes that foster close relationships between educators and learners. The school has earned strong recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 63rd among Washington's 381 schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
This solid standing reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement across its middle and high school programs. The Northwest School draws families from an educated and engaged community, where 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in ZIP code 98122 has a median household income of $94,548 and median home values of $938,000, reflecting the area's desirability and investment in education.
Despite the overall affluence, the community maintains some economic diversity with a 15.3% poverty rate among its 41,268 residents. Located in the heart of Seattle, The Northwest School benefits from the rich cultural and educational resources of a major metropolitan area while serving students in a close-knit academic environment.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, The Northwest 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, The Northwest 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Northwest School compares to 53 public schools serving similar grades in Seattle, WA
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Northwest School (this school) | 7.7 |
| Middle College High School | 8.3 |
| Seattle World School | 6.5 |
| Interagency Detention School | 5.9 |
| Summit Public School: Sierra | 8.6 |
| Edmonds S. Meany Middle School | 4.6 |
| Nova High School | 5.5 |
| Garfield High School | 6.6 |
| The Center School | 7.7 |
| Washington Middle School | 6.0 |
| Tops K-8 School | 8.6 |
| McClure Middle School | 6.1 |
| Private School Services | 6.7 |
| Interagency Programs | 6.0 |
| Franklin High School | 6.4 |
| Hamilton International Middle School | 6.5 |
| Lincoln High School | 7.3 |
| Mercer International Middle School | 6.4 |
| West Seattle High School | 7.8 |
| Pathfinder K-8 School | 5.4 |
| Catharine Blaine K-8 School | 8.8 |
Showing 20 of 53 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
1415 SUMMIT AVE, Seattle, WA 98122
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Northwest School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Summit Public School: Sierra (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Middle College High School (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (rated 7.1/10, 0.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| O'DEA HIGH SCHOOL Seattle | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Middle College High School Seattle | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| SEATTLE ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Seattle | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| SPRUCE ST SCHOOL Seattle | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| THE POLYTECH Seattle | 0.5 mi | — |
| MORNINGSIDE ACADEMY Seattle | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Lowell Elementary School Seattle | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Interagency Detention School Seattle | 0.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Seattle | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| ONEWORLD NOW! Seattle | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Seattle World School Seattle | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| PUGET SOUNDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Summit Public School: Sierra Seattle | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| FUSION ACADEMY SEATTLE Seattle | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| SEATTLE AMISTAD SCHOOL Seattle | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| BRIGHT WATER WALDORF SCHOOL Seattle | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Edmonds S. Meany Middle School Seattle | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| SEATTLE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Seattle | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
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 The Northwest 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 |
|---|---|
| THE OVERLAKE SCHOOL Redmond, WA | 7.8 |
| Naches Valley High School Naches, WA | 7.6 |
| Raisbeck Aviation High School Tukwila, WA | 7.9 |
| Reardan Middle-Senior High School Reardan, WA | 7.4 |
| Nikola Tesla STEM High School Redmond, WA | 8.1 |
| Highland High School Cowiche, WA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Northwest School
What grades does The Northwest School serve?
The Northwest School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend The Northwest School?
The Northwest School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Northwest School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Northwest School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Northwest School rank in WA?
The Northwest School is ranked #46 out of 381 private schools in WA.
What is The Northwest School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Northwest 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.
Is The Northwest School a private school?
Yes, The Northwest 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 The Northwest School a religious school?
No, The Northwest School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 99 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 100 Rider’s Paradise
- Bike Score
- 83 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,803/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 157 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- KING
- Phone
- (206) 816-6052
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.