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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.5%
Math vs. State Avg+21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.3 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,430

West Seattle High School — Students at West Seattle High School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.8%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 85.8%
School
State
55.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
56%
ELA
87%
2022
ELA
89%
2024
Math
52.7%
ELA
83.5%

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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
80th percentile in WA
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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