2024 Best School Districts in the Seattle Area

• Bellevue, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  147 reviews

Senior: I grew up in the Bellevue school district from elementary to high school. My elementary had a bilingual option and I had a great advantage learning Spanish for 5 years. My elementary had a great playground and open field to do all kinds of activities and I especially loved playing soccer all with friends. I remember my kindergarten teacher giving us cool Star Wars figurines or laminated photos of galaxies and paintings for doing well in his all Spanish class. I continued Spanish at a high school level for two years at my middles school, but I could not chose electives for 6th grade. My high school was big and I had fun but stayed closer friends with my friends from middle school, even I didn't go to school with them. My high school has IB, AP, WANIC, and running start as options and allowed me to learn about myself. I learned that I had a hard time with IB and AP so I continued with running start and am close to finishing my AA degree before graduating high school.... Read 147 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 31

• Students 19,510

• Mercer Island, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  24 reviews

Middle school student: Mercer Island school district does a well job of teaching kids on a multitude of subjects, from electives to music to academics. The district offers opportunities for students of young ages to discover their passions, whether or not it be a musical instrument, a particular sport, or a school subject. For instance, someone like me found a passion for music by enrolling in the district orchestra and was able to continue pursuing that passion throughout my education. Mercer Island School District is definitely one of the top districts out there.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 6

• Students 4,065

• Redmond, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.99 out of 5  89 reviews

Sophomore: Lake Washington School District has very good academics, clubs, activities throughout the school, and makes a good attempt at making sure everyone feels included. The district has a lot of diversity will people for various backgrounds and I feel the district values acceptance of all students. The majority of teachers are great from my experience, however some classes and teachers aren’t great at supporting students and lets students learn individually. I believe the overall district is a great environment with some actions and fixes that need to be improved upon.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 58

• Students 30,730

• Bainbridge Island, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  29 reviews

Senior: As a Trans person this school makes me want to run away and never come back. The amount of money and influence has left the island a drug fueled teen wonderland. However the education you wil receive on the Island is the best you can possibly get. I know more about most things then other people my age. Along with the huge amount of community service you can do makes my heart feel better. The educators are hit or miss on Bainbridge. Some are the smartest people I've met but can not teach for the life of them. And the ability to go follow your interests is huge because Bainbridge works with multiple trade schools and colleges to keep students interested and going to school.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 10

• Students 3,638

• Issaquah, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  100 reviews

Senior: The Issaquah School District is an overall nice and proper district in regards to educational practice. Teachers push their students to excel with strict curriculum while also aiding them for their failures. I have personally witnessed many teachers within the Issaquah School District as living in the Sammamish/Issaquah area my whole life has forced me to do so. I will say, there are definitely some unpleasant teachers but for the most part, the teachers serving in this community seem to genuinely connect and care for the well being of their student body. The "best parts" for me personally have been the constant push that these teachers give you, they look deep into their students and encourage them to do even better than what the students think is possible. The "worst part" is the workload. These teachers love to push their students, but sometimes too an extreme. In my past junior year, I averaged going to bed around 12-2 am every night studying and doing school work.... Read 100 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 30

• Students 19,590

• Bothell, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  111 reviews

Junior: Northshore School District is a warm and welcoming location where everyone belongs. All races, ethnicities, and sexualities have a place in the heart of this community. I've been involved in Northshore School District for 9 years and counting! This district does not tolerate bullying or harassment, making it a safe environment. School spirit, clubs, and sports are taken seriously. And there is a wide variety of courses available, so that everyone can pursue their own individual path in life. The teachers put in effort and dedication to not only teach, but support students. Overall, this is an excellent school district!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 39

• Students 22,974

• University Place, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  33 reviews

Sophomore: Honestly, though high school has its up and downs, the University Place School District has done an amazing job supporting every student. When it comes to preparation for after school, they provide students with all sorts of plans, not just college. When in school, they have a huge selection of classes at the high school to help you narrow down your interests. Most of the staff truly want you to succeed and it shows. Athletics are surprisingly good for a well-off academic school. Our aquatic teams can be relied on to win state most years, and other teams too! There are community events and just a great culture all centered around the school district. Overall it’s an amazing school district that most others just can’t top.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 8

• Students 5,613

• Shoreline, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  58 reviews

Junior: The student culture is wonderful and diverse, and there is a large focus on equity and social justice. As a queer person of color I feel comfortable and happy in the social environment that has been established. There are a wide variety of clubs and many, many ways to get involved in the community and gain leadership experience. The courses are fairly rigorous, and while some AP classes are offered the selection is limited and AP classes can only be taken starting sophomore year. The honors courses have been watered down in the name of equity to the point of redundancy. If you want to push yourself, you have to seek opportunities beyond the classroom, because the courses aren't extremely rigorous.... Read 58 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 18

• Students 9,487

• Vashon, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  13 reviews

Junior: I LOVE going to vashon as a commuter. Day-day life is great, with a small teacher/student ratio and teachers that are obviously passionate about their jobs. I have been going to vashon for 5 years, and some of my favorite things are the homemade school lunches, small class sizes, and the rare extracurriculars that the school offers. I don’t give them a 5/5 stars because I think they could improve on more racial diversity, and also they don’t tell you that as a commuter, you cannot do the running start program. In conclusion, The school is great, especially compared to other schools. There are a few problems that could mean a lot to a few people, but otherwise, the school offers great services for their students and i recommend!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 1,519

• Maple Valley, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  90 reviews

Senior: The best thing about THS is the variety of courses available. They make a conscious effort to provide as many types of AP, college in the high school, and electives as possible. They also make a effort to provide a plethora of resources available to the students especially in the Future Ready Center where students can talk to a counselor about how to achieve their after-high-school plans, receive information on scholarships and learn about alternative study opportunities.... Read 90 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 10

• Students 8,887

• Seattle, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.75 out of 5  220 reviews

Alum: My specific high school was a magnet school for AP programs and music, but located in a lower income part of Seattle. This led to a very visible split within academics and the student body. Everyone at the school is aware of this. Programs like honors for all were implemented, and are a great first step in the direction of more equal footing for all students, but there is a long way to go before any meaningful change is created. This school has wonderful communities within it, and more school spirit than most. I enjoyed my time here, but all the positive experiences were in spite of district management and not because of it. Large cutbacks in funding and staff numbers led to severe overcrowding and under funding. There was a high rate of staff turnover after covid, and teachers were not adequately supported. This meant the learning of students suffered.... Read 220 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 109

• Students 51,443

• Snoqualmie, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  36 reviews

Alum: Most of the teachers I had were very good and very supportive. I went to class with the expectation to learn and that expectation was well met. I felt fulfilled from my classes. Overall, I liked my experience and I felt that the curriculum was accessible to me and I was able to be successful. The students created a fun and welcoming community that I enjoyed being a part of. However, there were some teachers that I had that seemed less suited to teaching. There were not many, but the disregard of the accommodations afforded my through a 504 plan and the lack of any kind of leniency after I suffered from a concussion made a few teachers stand out rather negatively in my mind.... Read 36 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 14

• Students 7,181

• Steilacoom, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  39 reviews

Senior: I have been in the Steilacoom School District since kindergarten as well as my father and uncles. There are 2 elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The children of Steilacoom and Dupont end up attending this school district. I feel that it is a much better environment than many of the other districts in our area. We are given opportunities to different sports, clubs, activities, and opportunities offered in our community. It is fairly safe as it is in a nice area and primarily middle class families are in this district. I would recommend any family to send their children to this school district as it is safe, offers good education, and promotes diversity throughout.... Read 39 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 10

• Students 3,177

• Lake Stevens, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  62 reviews

Senior: I have been a student in the Lake Stevens School District since I was in kindergarten. Over the years, I have been a member of multiple sports and clubs. I have come across countless teachers and staff members, and throughout my experiences, I have been met with nothing but kindness. I am extremely grateful for the memories Lake Stevens has given me. I have run into some adults who peeved me, but you will have that issue anywhere. For the most part, I have had no problems with my schooling in Lake Stevens. I have only positive things to say.... Read 62 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 15

• Students 9,551

• Snohomish, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  63 reviews

Sophomore: I have been attending the Snohomish School district since kindergarten and have had a wonderful experience thus far. I attended Cascade View Elementary, Centennial Middle School and am currently taking classes at Snohomish High School. My teachers have all been very encouraging of my growth as a student. There is a wide range of AP and honors classes offered, as well as a highly capable program in the Elementary schools. There are also many opportunities for extra-curricular activities, including theater club, tennis, ASB, marching band, CAD, and knowledge bowl. My younger sister is on the Autism spectrum and her special-ed teachers are incredible. One thing that may be a drawback is the lack of diversity. Snohomish is a vastly rural area and the teachers and students are mostly white. Being a small-town school district, the community and traditions are strong. Overall, Snohomish is a great district!... Read 63 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 18

• Students 9,332

• Everett, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  75 reviews

Junior: The school is quite good, there is a large selection of subjects for study and different difficulties, but it is very difficult to get into the class you want to attend because of the large number of children. Food, as in most schools, is very fatty, there is a large selection, but it all boils down to its harmfulness. The school also has embroidery on the number of electronic cigarettes that students smoke in the toilets, and if you don't have one, you can simply buy one from one of the students who sells them. In the toilet cubicles there is a large number of inscriptions with obscene and offensive things.... Read 75 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 33

• Students 20,258

• Tacoma, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  44 reviews

Other: Overall the school aims for high standards in education and student companionship. There is an abundance of extracurricular activities for all students including field trips and school events. It's a nice campus in a sense that its designed like a college campus that is full of history and traditions. A unique thing about this school is and how much pride people have for the school. Of course my time in fife high school was short because of coronavirus, but I consider myself a lucky person because of the the experience I had and the memories I made. With that being said I did have bad experiences at this school regarding academics, personal issues, relationships, and online learning. I believe I went to what I went through for a reason. At first I was frustrated and angry with school because I didn't know better. I now realize that I can look back and see what I valued most. For me personally I have one change I want to see at this school and that is longer lunch periods.... Read 44 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 7

• Students 3,792

• Duvall, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Senior: The teachers and staff were amazing and supportive of students. The schools are small and very personalized.... Read 7 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 9

• Students 3,062

• Everett, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  54 reviews

Senior: I’d have to say my experiences with the teachers and administration is very different compared to other schools! They care for there students futures a lot, many have motivated me to trying new things I’m not fond too: wrestling and etc. I 100% believe that if I went to a different school, I wouldn’t have had as many accomplishments as I do now. The students aren’t great but good! I realized Mariner High School has a bad reputation that they don’t deserve, because it’s honestly a wonderful school.... Read 54 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 25

• Students 15,006

• Sumner, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  59 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior in high-school who didn’t get much of a high-school experience. My freshmen year got cut short so I only went to school for 7 months till covid struck; then my sophomore year was all online and i’m currently full running start student for these past 2 years. But, the time I did have at Sumner High, was good! The people are so kind hearted, everyone helps everybody and we are all like family there. The football games were my favorite; I never went to them until last year and this year but the whole community that shows up is beautiful. It’s such amazing memories to make with your friends, seeing everyone do cheers, taking pictures and running onto the field after was great. One thing I would change would be how many kids go to this school, they are building a whole new add on to the school cause we have so many kids. I just feel it’s a little to over crowded but you do get a chance to meet so many new people this way! I would say overall my experience was good... Read 59 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 15

• Students 10,217

• Puyallup, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  116 reviews

Senior: Puyallup High School is definitely a great school, but there is some improvement that could be made. Almost every single extra curricular group (sports, clubs, fine arts etc.) is amazing but only a few of those groups actually get celebrated and that's DECA, leadership, the football, basketball, and soccer teams. Even when we had multiple musicians and singers go to state for Solo & Ensemble, nobody knew or cared about it. Another thing about this school that doesn't sit right with me, is the lack of help given to students. If a student is in a general-education level class, they're given so many opportunities to retake that class or fix their grade so they can have a decent GPA. But if the student is in an AP or Pre-AP class, they're not given much help at all. It's like the school will do whatever they can to have their students pass, but won't try hard for them to succeed. The bare minimum is done. Other than those things, I think Puyallup High School is amazing.... Read 116 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 37

• Students 22,534

• Arlington, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  21 reviews

Senior: Arlington high school has the most amazing teachers and support staff. I have attended Arlington all 12 years and I have had an excellent experience. I have had many opportunities to excel. The school sprit is like no other. We offer so many extracurricular activities to keep the youth super involved. Everyone always feels welcomed and one activity that really stands out is callEd “character strong” a fun program that all students and staff participate in, its made to feel important no matter who you are or where you come from. It’s a positive experience!... Read 21 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 11

• Students 5,397

• Silverdale, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  50 reviews

Senior: Central Kitsap High school is an overall great school to attend for an exciting high school experience. Teachers are helpful and undeniably amazing in helping guide you in the right direction. Many teachers and staff are equipped to help students in their way through school and in their next schooling experience. There is a career center that is incredibly helpful in scholarship viewing, careers, and jobs for teens.... Read 50 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 19

• Students 11,274

• Poulsbo, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  46 reviews

Alum: North Kitsap High itself is a fantastic school with many quality teachers and very competitive sports programs. There are many extracurriculars ensuring that everyone would fine some way to get involved outside of their studies. The problems with North arise at the district level as there has been lots of mismanagement of funding leaving many programs severely underfunded. The music programs specifically have been cut substantially which it truly tragic for those students hoping to pursue music. If the deep issues with funding were resolved North Kitsap High would be an amazing school!... Read 46 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 14

• Students 5,458

• Auburn, WA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  84 reviews

Senior: The teachers and staff are great! Very helpful and understanding. My time here at Auburn has been amazing, the community is welcoming and the area is fantastic.... Read 84 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 26

• Students 17,896