Best High Schools in Zip Code 98033

ZIP code 98033, centered in Kirkland, has three high schools serving grades 6–12 or 9–12, all part of the highly ranked Lake Washington School District. Together, they enroll 2,569 students, but they offer very different school experiences: Lake Washington High School is the large comprehensive school, International Community School is a small, academically elite 6–12 school, and Emerson High School is a very small 9–12 school with more challenging outcomes.

International Community School is the strongest academic performer, ranking third among Washington high schools. In 2025–26, 93.33% of students were proficient in English language arts and 90.77% in math. Lake Washington High School also performed well statewide, ranking 15th, with 83.67% ELA, 67.27% math, and 85.19% science proficiency. Its 92.8% graduation rate and 3.5% dropout rate indicate strong completion outcomes, although math is its clearest academic improvement area. No graduation or dropout figures were provided for International Community School.

Emerson High School requires the most careful consideration. Its ELA proficiency improved to 63.16%, but science proficiency was 41.67%, its graduation rate was 65.2%, and its dropout rate was 17.3%. Because Emerson enrolls only 67 students, yearly percentages can change sharply and some results are suppressed. It also reports the highest free/reduced-price lunch rate, lowest student–teacher ratio, and highest spending per student; these figures provide context but do not by themselves explain outcomes. Overall, families should compare each school’s size, program structure, academic strengths, and completion results rather than relying only on the district’s excellent overall ranking.