Washington is the #12 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,088,009 students across the 2,554 public schools for the 2024 school year (there are , serving 114,559 students). 90% of all K-12 students in Washington are educated in public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Washington is 40%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 53%.
The top ranked public schools in Washington are Cascadia Elementary School, Challenge Elementary School and Nikola Tesla Stem High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 50% (majority Hispanic) and the student:teacher ratio is 17:1.
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title">Student by EthnicityÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½>
(WA) School Average
American Indian
1%
Asian
9%
Hispanic
25%
Black
5%
White
50%
Hawaiian
1%
Two or more races
9%
![This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Washington. This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Washington.](http://images2.publicschoolreview.com/charts/state_ethnicity/999000/998765/washington-chart-Vw293U.png)
Top Ranked Public Schools in Washington (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Cascadia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-5
1700 N 90th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5914
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5914
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Challenge Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-6
5409 228th St Sw
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 431-7157
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 431-7157
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Nikola Tesla Stem High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
4301 228th Ave Ne
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2770
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2770
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Stephen Decatur Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 1-5
7711 43rd Ave Ne
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-3230
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-3230
Rank: #55.
Northstar Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-9
10903 Ne 53rd St
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-1760
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-1760
Rank: #66.
Medina Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
8001 Ne 8th St.
Medina, WA 98039
(425) 456-5400
Medina, WA 98039
(425) 456-5400
Rank: #77.
Cherry Crest Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
12400 N.e. 32nd St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-4900
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-4900
Rank: #88.
International Community School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
11133 Ne 65th St
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-2380
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-2380
Rank: #99.
Sunrise Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
14075 172 Av Ne
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 408-5300
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 408-5300
Rank: #1010.
Somerset Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
14100 Somerset Boulevard Se
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 456-5800
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 456-5800
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="list-title center">Best Washington Public Schools by County (2024)Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½>
Popular neighborhoods: West End (15 schools), West Seattle (14 schools), Highline (12 schools), Northeast Seattle (10 schools), New Tacoma (10 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½>
What are the top ranked public schools in Washington?
The top ranked public schools in Washington include Cascadia Elementary School, Challenge Elementary School and Nikola Tesla Stem High School.
How many public schools are located in Washington?
2,554 public schools are located in Washington.
What percentage of students in Washington go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Washington are educated in public schools (compared to national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Washington?
Minority enrollment in Washington is 50% (majority Hispanic)
Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Articles
![Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information? Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?](https://images2.publicschoolreview.com/articlephoto/271/Should-Teacher-Salaries-be-Public-Information-724g8cmp58o40okwk8s00w0wo-280.jpg)
Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?
Public school teachers are considered public servants – but does that make their salary details public information? Learn about the heated debate surrounding whether teacher salaries should be made public.
![The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report](https://images1.publicschoolreview.com/articlephoto/316/The-Link-Between-Education-and-Incarceration-The-NAACP-Report-algu69i7jmwo4s0ogcs0oogo0-280.jpg)
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
![Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan](https://images1.publicschoolreview.com/articlephoto/443/Bussing-North-Carolina-s-New-Student-Assignment-Plan-8d9aeostg8kcs4sows808o04g-280.jpg)
Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan
We analyze a new plan for student assignment in two North Carolina school districts and the public reaction to the idea of bussing students – as well as alternatives that have been proposed by education experts.