Best Public Schools in Kent, WA

The city of Kent, Washington is home to 32 schools, including 22 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The schools in this diverse district serve students from a range of socioeconomic and racial/ethnic backgrounds, with some schools having a majority of minority students.

Among the standout schools in Kent are Kentridge High School, which ranks 54th out of 442 high schools in Washington and has a 4-star rating. It boasts strong academic performance, with 75.85% of 10th graders proficient in English Language Arts and 53.33% proficient in Math, well above the district and state averages. In contrast, Kent-Meridian High School has lower proficiency rates of 44.68% in English Language Arts and 12.8% in Math. The elementary schools of Grass Lake and Lake Youngs also stand out, ranking 193rd and 211th in the state, respectively, and both earning 4-star ratings.

The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance and socioeconomic factors across the Kent School District. Schools with higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, such as Kent-Meridian High School (76.6%) and Mill Creek Middle School (37.53% Hispanic, 17.13% Asian), tend to have lower proficiency rates. This suggests a correlation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement. Additionally, the alternative and virtual schools in the district, like Kent Laboratory Academy and Individualized Graduation & Degree Program, face unique challenges, with lower graduation rates and higher dropout rates compared to the traditional high schools.