Very Good
#440 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 20% in state
West Seattle High School
High School · Seattle School District No. 1
3000 CALIFORNIA AV SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Enrollment
1,392
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,392
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seattle
#41 of 89
public schools
Washington high schools
#35 of 476
In district
#48 of 106
Seattle School District No. 1
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About West Seattle High School
West Seattle High School serves 1,392 students in grades 9-12 as a regular public school in Seattle, Washington. With 63 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, providing a structured learning environment for its sizable student body. Academically, West Seattle High School demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #224 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among Washington high schools.
The school particularly excels in English Language Arts and Reading, with 89% of students achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. This academic success is reflected in the school's impressive 9.8 out of 10 academic score. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $129,924 and 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding ZIP code 98116 has a population of 27,871 with a remarkably low poverty rate of just 3.4%. Median home values in the area are $873,900, reflecting the desirable nature of this West Seattle neighborhood. West Seattle High School is situated in this well-educated, economically stable community within one of the Pacific Northwest's most vibrant large cities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at West Seattle High School is 22.1:1, 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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West Seattle High School — Students at West Seattle High School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19%
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
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How West Seattle High School Compares
See how West Seattle High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 52.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 83.5% (2024).
Location
3000 CALIFORNIA AV SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Seattle High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Chief Sealth International High School (rated 6.0/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Interagency Programs (rated 6.0/10, 2.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Elementary School Seattle | 0.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Madison Middle School Seattle | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| TILDEN SCHOOL Seattle | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Seattle | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Seattle | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Seattle | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Genesee Hill Elementary Seattle | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Alki Elementary School Seattle | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Fairmount Park Elementary School Seattle | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Pathfinder K-8 School Seattle | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Louisa Boren STEM K-8 Seattle | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| West Seattle Elementary School Seattle | 2.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Gatewood Elementary School Seattle | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL Seattle | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Sanislo Elementary School Seattle | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Roxhill Elementary School Seattle | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| David T. Denny International Middle School Seattle | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Chief Sealth International High School Seattle | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Interagency Programs Seattle | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Private School Services Seattle | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98116 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$130,504
Median Home Value
$917,000
Median Rent
$2,033/mo
Population
28,091
College Educated
68.9%
Homeownership
53.7%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Seattle High School has a median household income of $130,504. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $917,000, with a median rent of $2,033/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Shorewood High School Shoreline, WA | 7.7 |
| Woodinville HS Woodinville, WA | 7.7 |
| Inglemoor HS Kenmore, WA | 7.9 |
| Liberty Sr High School Renton, WA | 7.9 |
| Bainbridge High School Bainbridge Island, WA | 8.0 |
| Ballard High School Seattle, WA | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Seattle High School
What grades does West Seattle High School serve?
West Seattle High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Seattle High School?
West Seattle High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,392 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Seattle High School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Seattle High School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Seattle High School rank in WA?
West Seattle High School is ranked #440 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is West Seattle High School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Seattle High School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 West Seattle High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Seattle High School has 53.8% math proficiency and 85.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Seattle High School a charter school?
No, West Seattle High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Seattle High School a Title I school?
No, West Seattle High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Seattle High School?
19.0% of students at West Seattle 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
- 1,392
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- King County
- Phone
- (206) 252-8800
- 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
- #48 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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