Best Public Schools in Seattle, WA

The city of Seattle, Washington is home to 125 schools, including 81 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, 25 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. The schools in the Seattle School District No. 1 generally perform well above the state averages, with several standout schools like Lincoln High School, Ballard High School, and Catharine Blaine K-8 School ranking among the top in the state.

The four-year graduation rate for high schools in the district is 82.7%, on par with the state average, while the dropout rate is slightly higher at 9.7%. Test scores in English Language Arts and Math are generally strong, with 78.86% of 10th graders in the district proficient or better in ELA compared to 66.2% statewide. However, there is a significant disparity in performance between the highest and lowest-performing schools, highlighting the need to address equity and ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.

Factors like socioeconomic status, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, and spending per student, which ranges from $9,724 to $65,782, appear to play a significant role in student outcomes. The alternative and specialized schools in the district, such as Interagency Programs and Middle College High School, serve unique populations and have different performance metrics than the traditional public schools.