Summary:
The 98105 zip code in Seattle contains three elementary schools (K-5) within the Seattle School District No. 1, featuring two standout international schools and one strong neighborhood option.
Parents will find a notable performance gap between the specialized international schools and the traditional elementary school. Both McDonald International School and John Stanford International School are top-tier, consistently ranking in the top 2% of the state with proficiency rates above 80% in all core subjects. In contrast, Laurelhurst Elementary School performs above state and district averages but with proficiency rates in the 58-65% range, placing it significantly lower than its neighbors.
An interesting finding is the inverse relationship between spending and test scores: Laurelhurst has the highest per-student spending and lowest student-teacher ratio but the lowest scores, while the top-performing international schools operate with lower per-student budgets. The schools also serve different student populations, with free/reduced lunch rates below 9% at the international schools compared to nearly 30% at Laurelhurst, which may relate to the performance differences. Overall, the area offers exceptional academic choices, with the international school model proving highly effective for the families it serves.
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