2024 Best Schools in Washington

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  107 reviews

Sophomore: Most of the rumors and stereotypes you hear about this school and its students are true -- one reviewer mentioned the school's reputation as a pressure cooker and I could not agree more. Homework load is roughly a couple hours a day depending on your classes. As expected, the academic rigor is far greater than the average public school, however things are not perfect. Administration is thoughtful and seems to provide teachers with adequate support, but you'll begin to notice that student sentiment is sometimes disregarded, no matter how popular the idea is. Students are incredibly competitive as expected, and the school takes any sort of cheating incredibly seriously. Teachers can be quite accomodating, but it varies. You'll notice that friend groups are primarily based around race, with a few exceptions. In short -- almost the dream school for academics, and pretty average in the social scene.... Read 107 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 876

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Redmond, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  95 reviews

Junior: Overlake so far has been an overall positive experience with great extracurriculars, with at least some opportunities in almost all fields, as well as mostly great teachers. However, because of the work load, making meaningful connections is increasingly hard, student culture is lacking, and kids willingly come to school sick even when infectious because they can't afford to risk a day of school off because of the amount of work they would need to make up, which puts others at risk.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 529

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Kirkland, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.52 out of 5  21 reviews

Parent: The teachers really care about each student's individual progress. The education is amazing, and there are so many opportunities to explore what are students interested in. They are taught by very qualified teachers who are clearly passionate about what they do. There are a lot of clubs ,plenty of sports you can try. Independent and self-driven students can really thrive here.my daughter loves and enjoy EPS.... Read 21 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 486

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Tacoma, WA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  114 reviews

Sophomore: Annie Wright has people whom I want to surround myself with; people who are passionate about learning. Not enough words describe how much I love the Annie Wright community. The teachers, staff, and faculty care, which drives the students to care as well. Annie Wright has so many programs in both the arts and athletics. They provide so much support for individuals who need extra academic support. All of this is to build a strong community and prepare us for the many years ahead. I couldn't ask for anything better and I am so fortunate to attend such a life-changing school.... Read 114 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 815

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  75 reviews

Parent: UPrep has been such a great place for our family. Our sons began in 6th grade and while they are very different students, they each found great friends and lots of ways to engage and learn at UPrep. UPrep’s fantastic teachers have created a culture where kids feel free to experiment with new things. Academics are both rigorous and collaborative so it feels really positive rather than overly competitive. The school embraces cutting edge curriculum like their intensives program where kids spend 3 weeks focusing completely on one area of study. The athletics program has an inclusive no-cut policy. The parent/guardian community is welcoming and we have enjoyed volunteering and making lots of lasting friendships. Finally, the outstanding college counseling office expertly guided our son successfully through the college search process! So clearly we love UPrep and highly recommend it!... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 660

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Tacoma, WA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.42 out of 5  97 reviews

Parent: We have only been at CWA for the last two years, but WOW what a find for a family new to the area. The other schools we looked at were pretentious with strict dress code and a canned IB approach that we could have gotten at the local public middle school. At CWA, it's all experiential, hands-on, and super fun. My son gets tons of opportunity to pursue his interests like robotics, soccer, and band while learning the curriculum lots of extra-curricular programming right on campus (mine takes his private music lessons during and right after school), all the major sports are offered even in MS. They even manage an amazing Outdoor Education program and are taking the kids to Puerto Rico next year in grade 8. We absolutely love Charles Wright and whether you are a full pay family or need financial aid (which they give generously) we feel strongly that everyone should learn more about this hidden gem of a school. Check it out!... Read 97 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 578

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lake Washington School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  107 reviews

Alum: I loved my experience at stem - everyone from teachers to students are friendly and amazing, and we have a lot of resources, encouragement, and support from the school to enter competitions and pursue our passions. The school is pretty small compared to other high schools though, but that's a good thing for me because I was able to form amazing friendships and we are a tight-knit community. I would not suggest attending if you are not willing to put in the work because it is very stressful due to most classes being honors or AP, and you should be prepared to take multiple science classes in one year. Also, there are not many humanities classes, but I know amazing artists and passionate historians in the school that formed clubs related to their interests. I would highly recommend joining, but only if you are passionate about stem and are ready to take on the workload.... Read 107 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 610

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  112 reviews

Senior: Seattle Academy has provided me with not only the education of a life time, but the experience of one as well. Whether it’s through affinity groups that allow me to feel comfortable with my multiracial identity, clubs that are led by students to ensure you have peers who relate to you, or even just the basic electives run by the school, my time at SAAS has taught me so much and has allowed me to grow into the person I am today. Through the guidance of Seattle Academy, I have traveled out of the country to the depths of Yukon Canada, I have led clubs that required me to step out of my comfort zone and later allowed me to rediscover who I am, and finally, I was able to evolve through the school and make friends who I now consider my family. Overall, I have accomplished beyond anything that I ever imagined I could during my time at SAAS. Though my school is not perfect, there’s nothing I would change. My experience at SAAS has made me who I am, and my forever thankful for it.... Read 112 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,115

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  360 reviews

Alum: Teachers and Staff are extremely supportive. The competitive culture of the school doesn't feel overwhelming, instead, it drives students towards success!... Read 360 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,792

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  84 reviews

Senior: Bush feels like a small liberal arts college in Seattle. And the academics feel like college too! Round table discussions, experience project learning, high teacher to student ratio.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 715

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Lake Washington School District, WA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  95 reviews

Senior: As a rising senior, I know that my education at ICS has shaped me into the person I am. From 6th grade to the present, ICS has continued to challenge and engage me with its rigorous coursework (all honors classes). Each year builds upon what I have learned in the previous years, which has allowed me to excel in my classes. The teachers are amazing and dedicated to what they do. Although I may have missed out on some of the larger social aspects associated with a larger school, the small community at ICS is fun to be a part of, as you get to know everyone on an individual basis, including teachers, fellow students, and underclassman over the course of 6 years. There are lots of opportunities for mentorship and leadership with the clubs and activities here as well. ICS isn't the right school for everyone, but it definitely is for me and I'm glad I go here!... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  72 reviews

Parent: Our youngest child is in the 4th year at NWS. Our oldest child is in a different school (senior) and that school has a very high rank with this site. The ranking is only as relevant as your child and family fit. NWS has a strong social justice and sustainability focus, integrated with a thoughtful curriculum. One distinction is their Humanities program. The curriculum integrates language arts, social studies, and geography in Middle School and history, English, philosophy, art history, and literature in Upper School. I did not realize the full meaning of the benefits until I was in a debate with my student with a very integrative argument! The real world is integrative, so why not educate our students that way. The teachers and administrators are passionate about building a whole child and cultivating a caring school culture. When a significant event happens in the real world, the teachers allow time for reflection. I love how they teaches through the child's eyes.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 452

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Redmond, WA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  81 reviews

Parent: We joined the school in high school and were immediately and intentionally welcomed. The inclusive community allowed our child to branch out and to explore new interests. The teachers are amazing! The rich community allows the teachers to engage with the children outside of the classroom and many are also coaches and club mentors which has fostered growth intellectually, spiritually, socially and emotionally. My child and our family feels known and supported. With one of our children being a senior, we have received excellent guidance to prepare for college.... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 908

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Mercer Island, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  19 reviews

Parent: NYHS has been a great choice for our son. We love the small class size, which enables each student to receive the full attention of every teacher. The teachers are excellent and the course offerings are challenging and adaptive to the interests of the students and faculty. In a small school, teachers are able to request and read multiple drafts of every essay, fostering the development of high level writing skills. The teachers make themselves available during lunch or after school, ensuring that students with questions are able to have them answered in a timely manner. The campus itself feels like comfortable home, with beautiful and inviting spaces both indoors and out, and even space to garden and raise chickens and bees! The school is deeply invested in college prep, and is highly interactive with parents in supporting the application process. We could not be more pleased with the education our son is receiving, both the Judaics and the general education components, at NYHS.... Read 19 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 53

• Student-teacher ratio 2:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  416 reviews

Senior: The teachers are generally good. The main problem is the segregation between the AL/IB programs and the General Education programs which results in AL/IB students getting prioritized with better classes, better teachers, etc. The counseling staff is overworked and have a tough time reaching out to students. There is also very poor and inefficient admin communication. Reputation and money is clearly prioritized above students' mental health with many students being forced to learn both AP and IB content in the same class (which substantially increases the workload) so that they can take more standardized tests.... Read 416 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,569

• Student-teacher ratio 1569:1

• Highline School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  167 reviews

Senior: My favorite thing about Raisbeck Aviation High School is the diversity and the resources that my teachers provide. Their are kids from all over the area whether they live on an island or right in the school area. They are all welcome here. I see kids from from so many cultures and environments in school, but no matter the differences we all get along. And if someone is being picked on then they are free to tell a teacher and that teacher will help them work it out. At Raisbeck, the students are given so many opportunities to expand their minds and hearts. And our teachers are a great recourses to go to. Just ask for help on anything that a student might me having trouble with and they will answer any questions you may have. And if they specifically don't have that answer then they will direct you to another recourse that will. Here at my school everyone is welcome here. We have clubs and activities to join. We have a sports team. We even have our own mascot, a Friday the Phoenix. Bye!... Read 167 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 402

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  95 reviews

Senior: International School was amazing! It being a very small school compared to others in the district, a sense of community was formed between each grade. Everyone knew each other and we were able to talk to anyone! It was an amazing 7 years!... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 591

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  209 reviews

Junior: Good school with a strong performing arts program and lots of resources for students. I'm in band and jazz band and we perform, travel, and compete often. There's a specialized college and career counselor who's very helpful to talk to. I transferred starting junior year and I found it pretty easy to make friends, largely because of my involvement in band. Also, this school is very committed to sports. Multiple teams made it to state tournaments this year. However, BHS is very clique-y. Imagine you're in a high school movie surrounded by rich kids who care immensely about popularity and football. SO many girls are bleach blondes. I found it jarring to move into this social environment. Also, BHS seems to have low standards for their teachers. Multiple teachers display rampant favoritism and some are incompetent. The social studies department will either overwork you and grade unfairly or slack off for the entire year.... Read 209 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,514

• Student-teacher ratio 1514:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  104 reviews

Parent: Our daughter was very well prepared for college and was supported by the administration and faculty to get accepted and attend her first choice university. This school is academically rigorous. Students tend be be high achievers with high intellectual capacity. The athletic program is strong. The athletic program supports high performing athletes. Socially, it is not for the faint of heart for girls.... Read 104 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 720

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Sammamish, WA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  140 reviews

Freshman: Eastside Catholic is a very welcoming school. I found the teachers very helpful, funny and kind. I understood concepts well and I enjoyed every day at school! The course selection is amazing and includes an array of subjects. I like the college readiness classes such as the UWHS classes. I found many classmates who were sweet and accepting of everyone. I liked Health class as it taught us many helpful strategies to tackle addiction, mental health, and improve overall wellbeing. I liked the fact that there were posters in the bathroom and on the walls which gave students information about mental health and how to seek help. I love school assemblies because they are filled with school spirit and fun games. I greatly appreciate the service opportunities given by Eastside Catholic because it really helps me find volunteer activities that I enjoy and love doing. I also appreciate how easy it is to talk to counselors and the staff at Student Services for whatever questions I might have.... Read 140 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 825

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Northshore School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  60 reviews

Freshman: Overall, North Creek is pretty great. Good choice of classes, beautiful campus (very well maintained and super sustainable). Everyone there is pretty nice. The only complaint I have… are the teachers. This obviously differs from person to person, and I’m only in my freshman year, but I really haven’t had a good experience with a lot of teachers, and I can say that I’m speaking for a lot of people. I think that they need to do a better job with hiring teachers that are suited for their jobs and a better job monitoring them. Now I know that this may be difficult, but I think that there are plenty of ways to fix this issue. We do a couple of surveys every once in a while, and I think including one for feedback for teachers would definitely be something they should do. Another thing I’d like to mention that from my experience had been really outstanding is the counselors and administration. They do an amazing job at supporting students, and have a great system. Anyways, that’s it. Go jags!... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,698

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Bellevue, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: My daughter came from a "rigorous" priv. hs in Seattle-she was shutting down. She is gifted/high achieving but was not thriving in a grade/test-driven environment. She was lucky to be accepted to Forest Ridge as a soph. & it has been transformative for her. The teachers are top notch & kind, the atmosphere is supportive, & the classes are intrinsically interesting and developmentally appropriate. The subjects are just as challenging as other school & graduates go to great colleges. There is a poster that says "Reject Dystopia" in the Eng. class- the school is realist while also being upbeat/kind. The uniforms at first were big detractor, but she actually likes it. The admin team is top notch--recently from top East Coast/and top local schools. FR reminds me of UCDS- (daughters went for pre-K through 5th) &L-Dub (before it moved). My daughter actually said, "I am excited to go to school now!" She easily made friends. I see lots of happy kids across all grades & exceptional teachers!... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 300

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Lake Washington School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  456 reviews

Junior: I've enjoyed many parts of high school, like meeting new people and learning new material. Extracurricular opportunities have always been the largest contributing factor to my enjoyment and how I've met the most friends. Having involvement in a wide variety of clubs, sports, and activities has also been a big help. However, there are also many things to dislike. For example, the strict routine with minimal time to socialize and eat during lunch. Overall, many of the teachers are fantastic and make me want to participate and absorb new material. But teachers in the math department tend to be lacking. The student body is almost 2,500 students and tends to lack school spirit and unity, but there is lots of work being to done to try to remedy that. With additions to improve student learning with better teacher and attempts to bring students together that more accurately cater to students the school would be a much better place.... Read 456 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,161

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  222 reviews

Senior: The words, "time flies when you're having fun" truly apply to my time. All I heard growing up is, "Live in the moment, high school flies by". Now that it is senior year, I actually understand what everyone was telling me. Throughout my time at Blanchet, I have been in multiple clubs. I participated in our Ski and Snowboarding club freshman year. Although classes were online, this was a great opportunity to meet new friends. I am also involved in the Girls Who Code club, which is awesome because I love computer science and want to pursue this in college. Something I have been involved in is our school class cabinet. I have been elected for two years by my peers to help organize school events and lead our class as a whole for a fun and memorable school year. I think one of the best things that has happened to me at Blanchet is going to retreats with my grade every year. It has made so many friendships and created trust within my community. A change I would want to see are more retreats.... Read 222 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 854

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Issaquah School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  509 reviews

Junior: I love how Skyline is an inclusive and diverse environment. It encourages individuality and cooperation. We hold many unique events and celebrations, and I love seeing everyone show their school spirit. The teachers are very supportive and we have a variety of assignments that work for every type of learning. I would love to see more clubs at the school, even though we already have a variety. I would also enjoy it if we had more classes on college readiness and future skills, such as ones dedicated to the college experience and for information on housing, banking, home economics/cooking, and other critical skills.... Read 509 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,218

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1