Washington is the #12 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,096,693 students across the 2,552 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 788 private schools, serving 118,587 students). 90% of all K-12 students in Washington attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Washington is 41%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 53%.
The top-ranked public schools in Washington are Cascadia Elementary School, Challenge Elementary School, and Stephen Decatur Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 53%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 18:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Washington (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Cascadia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-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: 97% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 97% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-6
5409 228th St Sw
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 431-7157
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 431-7157
Rank: #33.
Stephen Decatur Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
7711 43rd Ave Ne
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-3230
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-3230
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Nikola Tesla Stem High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: 6-8
10903 Ne 53rd St
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-1760
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-1760
Rank: #66.
Medina Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (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.
International Community School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (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: #88.
Cherry Crest Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (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: #99.
Stella Schola
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
13505 Ne 75th Street
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2475
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2475
Rank: #1010.
Sunrise Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
14075 172 Av Ne
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 408-5300
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 408-5300
Overview
This State (WA)
US
# Schools
2,552 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
1,096,693 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
60,938 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (WA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
41%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
47%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
43%
Graduation Rate
83.8%
87%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.69
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
13,658 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
100,421 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
9%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
290,873 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
27%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
53,232 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
5%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
519,799 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
47%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
16,549 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
2%
n/a
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
# Two or more races Students
97,998 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
9%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (WA)
Statewide Total Revenue
$23,221 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$23,150 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$21,173
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$21,108
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Washington Public Schools by County (2026-27)
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Washington?
The top-ranked public schools in Washington include Cascadia Elementary School, Challenge Elementary School, and Stephen Decatur Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Washington?
2,552 public schools are located in Washington.
What percentage of students in Washington go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Washington attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Washington?
Minority enrollment in Washington is 53%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Washington are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Washington include: Oroville Middle-high School vs. Tonasket High School, Peninsula High School vs. Gig Harbor High School, Shadow Lake Elementary School vs. Tahoma Elementary School
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