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The Center School

Q: Is The Center School a good school?

The Center School ranks 70 th of 438 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

70^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 438 Washington High Schools

Better than 84% of Washington high schools

Summary

The Center School is a small, highly-rated public high school serving about 165 students in grades 9-12 within the Seattle School District No. 1, offering a unique and resource-intensive educational model in the heart of the city.

What truly sets The Center School apart is its exceptionally small size and high level of resources, with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and significantly higher per-student spending than larger nearby schools like Ballard High School or Garfield High School. This environment fosters remarkable strengths in certain subjects, with science proficiency at an exceptional 96% and strong English scores. However, the school has a pronounced and consistent weakness in mathematics, with proficiency notably lower than the district average and far behind high-performing peers like Lincoln High School.

Despite having fewer students from low-income backgrounds than many district schools, The Center School has historically been exceptionally effective in supporting vulnerable student groups, ranking very high for students in special education and from low socioeconomic backgrounds. While its overall state ranking is strong, it has shown more year-to-year volatility than some consistently top-tier schools. For families seeking a small, supportive community with a focus on the arts and sciences, The Center School presents a compelling, though mathematically challenged, alternative to the district's larger comprehensive high schools.

165

Students ?

13.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$29,206

Per pupil spending ?

14.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

305 Harrison St
Seattle, WA 98109-4623

(206) 252-9850

District: Seattle School District No. 1

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.2%

Not Specified:

19.4%

Hispanic:

10.3%

See top rated Washington high schools

Compare The Center School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 95th percentile in 2012 → 84th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (70% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 16% of Washington high schools

✓86% graduate in 4 years — above the Washington average (83%)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 11 percentile points since 2012

!Math scores 11 pts below the Washington average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school70%

District avg63%

Washington avg48%

70^th of 438

Washington public high schools ?

Top 16%▼ down 12 pts since 2016

From top 4% (2016) to top 16% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Washington High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 15High Schools in the Seattle School District No. 1

45^th of 247Seattle School District No. 1 among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	79.2	70 of 438	84.0%	★★★★☆
2024	93.8	23 of 437	94.7%	★★★★★
2023	93.5	21 of 442	95.2%	★★★★★
2022	77.9	77 of 434	82.3%	★★★★☆
2021	91.4	25 of 455	94.5%	★★★★★
2019	78.8	70 of 417	83.2%	★★★★☆
2018	79.8	51 of 315	83.8%	★★★★☆
2016	90.1	13 of 306	95.8%	★★★★★
2013	76.2	45 of 454	90.1%	★★★★★
2012	79.9	23 of 450	94.9%	★★★★★
2011	76.0	35 of 440	92.0%	★★★★★
2010	83.7	44 of 423	89.6%	★★★★☆
2009	77.5	72 of 402	82.1%	★★★★☆
2008	77.2	68 of 396	82.8%	★★★★☆
2007	87.6	22 of 399	94.5%	★★★★★
2006	87.9	23 of 395	94.2%	★★★★★
2005	92.1	17 of 394	95.7%	★★★★★
2004	87.8	28 of 390	92.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	88.4	29 of 350	91.7%	★★★★★
2024	94.3	15 of 347	95.7%	★★★★★
2023	96.0	10 of 357	97.2%	★★★★★
2022	67.9	106 of 368	71.2%	★★★★☆
2021	88.5	34 of 390	91.3%	★★★★★
2019	73.3	83 of 358	76.8%	★★★★☆
2018	82.1	31 of 243	87.2%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2023	96.9	7 of 362	98.1%	★★★★★
2021	98.6	3 of 392	99.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	83.2	53 of 362	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	76.1	63 of 358	82.4%	★★★★☆
2022	73.4	86 of 363	76.3%	★★★★☆
2021	90.6	25 of 395	93.7%	★★★★★
2019	82.3	46 of 355	87.0%	★★★★☆
2018	64.9	86 of 254	66.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2023	98.4	2 of 110	98.2%	★★★★★
2021	97.3	4 of 212	98.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	78.3	61 of 373	83.6%	★★★★☆
2024	94.9	11 of 374	97.1%	★★★★★
2023	90.0	19 of 379	95.0%	★★★★★
2022	76.6	75 of 390	80.8%	★★★★☆
2021	86.6	38 of 413	90.8%	★★★★★
2019	75.5	77 of 382	79.8%	★★★★☆
2018	79.6	37 of 222	83.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2023)98th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)98th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2025)92nd percentile+8 vs school

Male (2024)85th percentile-9 vs school

White (2025)84th percentile~ school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

Science96%+46 vs state

English Language Arts83%+30 vs state

Math32%-11 vs state

2.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, February 13, 2012

Center is a refugee school. Focuse on arts was the original charter but it offers less art study opportunities than most district high schools. Case in point; all musical instruments were removed from the school in 2010 “because they were a nuisance”. Because of its arts status Center is free of district boundary lines. Center is the only alternative for students from the worst Seattle schools. For many attending Center, their designated High School is not an option. As a result ratings of the school become inflated because the alternative for so many involved is so much worse. Parents involved enough to find this alternative are also capable of backing & defending the school vigorously. For this reason many who choose this school find that it is vastly overrated.

The gross lack of parity in Seattle Schools is inexcusable & sets up the conditions for an overrated school such a Center to exist; highest $/student in the state with less than mediocre results. District leadership & vision only prevents every school from being a Roosevelt or Garfield. If Seattle Schools had parity there would be no Center. Close Quote

Schools Near The Center School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				WCAS Science (2025)		SBAC English Language Arts (2025)		SBAC Math (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 11th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 10th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 10th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
The Center School	Public	9-12	305 Harrison St	Seattle	98109	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-9850	165	12	13.9	14.5%	96 (58.2%)	3 (1.8%)	17 (10.3%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	14 (8.5%)	79.2	70^th of 438 public high schools	84.0%		93.8	23^rd of 437 public high schools	94.7%	47	95.7	95.7	82.8	82.8	31.8	31.8	$29,206	$741	$28,465
Seattle World School	Public, Magnet	6-12	1700 East Union St.	Seattle	98122	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	Yes	No	Yes	(206) 252-2200	218	16	13.7	89.4%	6 (2.8%)	36 (16.5%)	152 (69.7%)	23 (10.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)								(n/a)							$27,854	$1,431	$26,423
Interagency Detention School	Public	6-12	1211 E Alder Ms 1-F	Seattle	98122	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 205-9422	47	0		27.7%	9 (19.1%)	26 (55.3%)	11 (23.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.1%)								(n/a)							$25,019	$579	$24,441
Summit Public School: Sierra	Public, Charter	9-12	1025 S King St	Seattle	98104	King County	Summit Public School: Sierra	Yes	No	No	Yes	(206) 453-2520	214	14	15.2	38.3%	88 (41.1%)	56 (26.2%)	28 (13.1%)	8 (3.7%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (12.1%)	37.1	280^th of 438 public high schools	36.1%		64.2	130^th of 437 public high schools	70.3%	150	49.0	49.0	51.7	51.7	24.1	24.1	$20,964	$627	$20,337
Nova High School	Public	9-12	301 21st Avenue East	Seattle	98122	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-3500	256	18	14.4	33.6%	133 (52.0%)	14 (5.5%)	27 (10.5%)	5 (2.0%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	20 (7.8%)	89.4	37^th of 438 public high schools	91.6%		84.1	56^th of 437 public high schools	87.2%	19	79.3	79.3	79.4	79.4	51.6	51.6	$24,628	$806	$23,821
Garfield High School	Public	9-12	400 23 Ave	Seattle	98122	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-2270	1,507	70	21.5	41.2%	499 (33.1%)	443 (29.4%)	151 (10.0%)	177 (11.7%)	11 (0.7%)	11 (0.7%)	183 (12.1%)	81.8	58^th of 438 public high schools	86.8%		88.2	46^th of 437 public high schools	89.5%	12	74.7	74.7	71.3	71.3	46.7	46.7	$18,761	$738	$18,023
Lincoln High School	Public	9-12	4400 Interlake Ave N	Seattle	98103	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 413-2500	1,770	76	23.1	11.6%	1,010 (57.1%)	57 (3.2%)	176 (9.9%)	199 (11.2%)	4 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	283 (16.0%)	96.8	11^th of 438 public high schools	97.5%		96.7	12^th of 437 public high schools	97.3%	1	82.8	82.8	88.8	88.8	71.6	71.6	$18,365	$764	$17,600
Interagency Programs	Public	6-12	2445 3rd AVE S	Seattle	98134	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-0749	211	35	6.0	68.2%	39 (18.5%)	60 (28.4%)	61 (28.9%)	11 (5.2%)	2 (0.9%)	2 (0.9%)	24 (11.4%)	12.1	403^rd of 438 public high schools	8.0%		7.4	425^th of 437 public high schools	2.7%	22	33.3	33.3	32.3	32.3			$44,768	$3,814	$40,954
Seattle Skills Center	Public, Magnet	9-12	2445 3rd Ave S	Seattle	98124	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	Yes	No	No	(206) 252-0733	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)							$19,067	$803	$18,264
West Seattle High School	Public	9-12	3000 California Av SW	Seattle	98116	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-8800	1,479	65	22.5	18.4%	946 (64.0%)	68 (4.6%)	183 (12.4%)	63 (4.3%)	8 (0.5%)	5 (0.3%)	189 (12.8%)	85.1	50^th of 438 public high schools	88.6%		81.1	69^th of 437 public high schools	84.2%	19	59.0	59.0	87.9	87.9	56.2	56.2	$19,281	$748	$18,533

Frequently Asked Questions about The Center School

How many students attend The Center School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 165 students attended The Center School.

What district is The Center School in?

Seattle School District No. 1

Is The Center School a good school?

The Center School ranks 70^th of 438 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of The Center School?

Students at The Center School are 58% White, 19% Not Specified, 10% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 2% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.