2024 Best Schools in Bellevue

• Redmond, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  96 reviews

Freshman: Being someone who's been at Overlake since middle school, this place is really great, with awesome arts, humanities, and sports programs. Classrooms and facilities are modern and up-to-date, with charging stations, gender-neutral bathrooms, and places to sit all across campus. But the best part about it are the faculty and staff-- every teacher has a unique style of teaching which helped me learn effectively in their classrooms. Other staff, like the kitchen crew, maintenance, and bus drivers are always so friendly and kind, making a welcoming environment. However, I have many critiques about the student culture here. There isn't much bullying, but students will pretend to be "nice" to certain people, but are really just condescending and secretly gossip and talk bad behind their back. Some students are also insensitive. They will rudely bump past others in crowded spaces, squirt water onto people who have done nothing, and sometimes even steal personal belongings.... Read 96 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

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: UPrep has been an excellent choice for our family. Our son started in middle school and is now a freshman. The teachers are an absolute strength, engaging and accessible. Academics are rigorous with a strong core curriculum and advanced options. The intensives allow students to explore new topics or go deeper in an area of interest. Students are encouraged to do their personal best without excessive competition. The athletic program offers both no-cut sports and competitive varsity teams. The community is welcoming and inclusive, with numerous opportunities for parental involvement. School spirit & community building have greatly improved post-COVID. College counseling is strong, and the leadership team is effective. The new ULab will be game changer for the upper school experience.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 660

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  115 reviews

Parent: As a parent who has been here since my children were in 6th grade and now one is a Senior, our journey with SAAS has been an evolution. I didn't love middle school, but who does? In high school, I found the academics to be engaging, contemporary, and challenging, for both of our daughters. My girls have learned to self-advocate for themselves, gained confidence in their academic achievements and through their extracurricular activities. From a college planning perspective, college advising team is excellent. PROs: Sports and performing arts programs, engaging lessons and teachers, college prep/advising, diverse student body, very inclusive environment. CONs: I'm surprised by how many parents are not involved in the community. They give their money but choose not to be engaged. We are probably above middle income, but I see a lot of entitlement and privilege from upper wealthy. I also do think more discipline and consequences are needed for when kids break the rules... Read 115 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,170

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  362 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 362 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 4.2 out of 5  76 reviews

Parent: Our son began in G8; we just moved to the Seattle area. We've been completely satisfied with the school. In particular, we've been happy with the academic curriculum. We knew that Northwest was a strong arts school, but we weren't sure about math, science, & humanities. All three of these subject areas have been outstanding. The math department is exceptional, including the department head in particular. If capable, a student can progress to advanced calculus and beyond in grades 11&12. Our son's humanities instructor in G8 was one of the most inspiring teachers he has ever had. Overall, the work is challenging but the support resources are excellent. Also, the grading criteria and results are completely transparent. Through an application accessed online, the parent can review all assignments, results and grades in all classes. No surprises! Last, I want to remark on the outdoors program, which is very active and opens up students to the beautiful Pacific Northwest!... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 452

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Redmond, WA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  89 reviews

Parent: The Bear Creek School is an excellent place for the whole student to feel at home. This is an academically rigorous environment and the students are exceptionally prepared for college. But just as importantly, they are ready to enter the world as leaders. Students learn how to think critically, how to learn, and how to lead in the community. Socially, the students & faculty value each member of the community. I appreciate that there are no cuts on clubs or sports, and every student is encouraged to try-- and excel at--new activities. I have also been pleased with the fun that they have in Upper School, from the Houses, to ice breakers, to school dances, trips, and activities and sports happening every day, we have been pleasantly surprised by all the fun. Spiritually, the students engage with each other and the community from a Christian world view, valuing each other and themselves. Students know they are cared for when they enter the building. This is a special community!... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 878

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Mercer Island, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  20 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 20 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 57

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  418 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 418 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,569

• Student-teacher ratio 1569:1

• 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 3.95 out of 5  213 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 213 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,514

• Student-teacher ratio 1514:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  105 reviews

Senior: Choosing Seattle Prep was the best decision I could have made for high school. One of the biggest traits that Seattle Prep emphasizes is community and I felt it as soon as I walked on campus for a campus tour in 8th grade. Even though I didn't have a freshman year due to COVID-19, I still felt connected with my classmates and teachers. Now, at school assemblies, school retreats, all-school masses, and every day at school I feel that I have a great community within my class and throughout other grades. Another great experience I had through Seattle Prep was the athletics. Of course, the football games are fun, but so are the volleyball and soccer teams. I also have been a part of the cross-country team for all 4 years and I have loved being a part of such a dedicated community of high school runners. The only thing that I would change about the school is the price of the food and the parking situation, other than that I have no real problems at Seattle Prep.... Read 105 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

• Bellevue, WA•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  80 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 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 300

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• 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

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: Seattle Waldorf High School has been a gift to our family. My daughter previously attended other private and public schools, but the education, care and soc/emo learning which took place at SWSHS is second to none. She is seen and appreciated. Her teachers know her so well and support her in anyway she needs. She does not have to conform or compromise to fit in, she can truly be herself. Academically the experiential/integrated curriculum means the students use their 'full brains', they are flexible and creative and show amazing critical thinking skills. The two trips a year and outdoor aspects of the curriculum have been so life enhancing, they challenge her and take her out of her comfort zone, but have fostered a passion and love for the great outdoors. Graduates are impressive!... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 318

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Seattle, WA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  266 reviews

Senior: My experience with Holy Names Academy has overall been a positive one. I found that an all girl environment created a more secure and comfortable atmosphere to share my opinions, be more confident, and learn more about myself. Academics at HNA are competitive, but also very collaborative with many available resources to aid the students in their learning and school work, as well as very flexible teachers. The social environment is awesome, I found a great group of friends while also having many friends outside of that group. Athletics were also competitive and I learned to work well with others. One part of the experience that leans more to the negative side is that it's not a traditional high school experience. Since it's an all girls school, there isn't a football team and dances are also different because it's more difficult to find dates. Overall, HNA is a great school with admirable characteristics all around and I wouldn't pick any other school.... Read 266 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 570

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lake Washington School District, WA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: Words cannot describe how much I loved this school. Having gone to 3 other elementary schools (the last one definitely not being my favorite), it was a big relief for me having attended this school in my last year of elementary. I can definitely see why they're rated the best public elementary school in Washington...they really live up to their fame. There's a lot of good diversity, the students are super nice and friendly, the teachers are so helpful, and the staff is just so kind. Only thing I'd change would be the separation of Quest (Gifted) and GenEd (general education.) Having been a Quest student myself, I can definitely tell you that while socializing, Questies hang out with mostly other Questies and vice versa. In fact, I don't think I had even one GenEd friend the whole school year. Overall this is such an amazing school. I definitely recommend it, and it's tied for my favorite elementary school I went to (which is surprising since I went to top-rated schools a lot.)... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 456

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Issaquah School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  397 reviews

Alum: Issaquah High School has a variety of classes available, a relaxed school culture, and a multitude of extracurriculars. Issaquah offers many AP, honors, and elective courses. While there are state course requirements, students are given a lot of freedom in choosing their courses. I really enjoyed the relaxed school culture in my time there. The school has a relaxed phone policy and dress code and the administration often involves teachers' feedback in their decision-making. The students themselves are very friendly and academically motivated. Most teachers are approachable and kind. Overall, I hope that the school takes back the strict bathroom policy it implemented this past year. The school itself is a little dirty and overcrowded. The school is large and there are so many people to meet and clubs & sports to get involved in. Overall I really loved my time there! I highly recommend the photography, material science, and woodshop courses offered at IHS!... Read 397 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,464

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Mercer Island School District, WA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.14 out of 5  7 reviews

Middle School Student: This mostly an outstanding school, I am currently finishing my 7th grade at IMS. Most of the teachers are pretty amazing. This school offers a variety of accelerated classes, which I always try to utilize. IMS has some varsity teams, although not much, a track, and volleyball teams. The atmosphere and culture is definitely something I value at this school, a huge portion of students participate in spirit days, and most people are nice and welcoming. The cafeteria food definitely needs improvement. But honestly, so far I’m having a good middle school experience.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 956

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Issaquah School District, WA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 1.5 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 513

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  247 reviews

Senior: Sammamish is a really good school in a beautiful area. They have a huge variety of courses to select from, including glass blowing, culinary and biotechnology. They have a small music program unfortunately, but my Junior year our jazz band won first place at the Commencement Bay festival. They have really good athletics such as our track team being 2 year girl kingco champions and 1 year boys kingco champs. Our girls soccer, gymnastics and cheer have all gone incredibly far in the 2A division. The football team isn’t fabulous but there’s lots of school spirit. The SHS robotics team has gone to the world championships three years in a row! The teachers are great and very understanding, sammamish has a very welcoming community.... Read 247 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,287

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Lake Washington School District, WA•

• 6-9

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: Northstar has a unique curriculum in which core subjects are taught via fun, thematic, electives. that gets the kids engaged. Writing is less scary when you're passionate about the topic. All students are on an accelerated math path. with Algebra in either 7th or 8th grade, taught by a remarkable teacher. I am happy we applied and that my child had the opportunity to experience this school.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 88

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1