For the 2026 school year, there are 537 public schools serving 279,738 students in King County, WA (there are 331 private schools, serving 56,703 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in King County, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%). King County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Washington.
The top-ranked public schools in King County, WA are Cascadia Elementary School, Stephen Decatur Elementary School and Nikola Tesla Stem High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
King County, WA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in King County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in King County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cascadia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1700 N 90th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5914
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5914
Gr: K-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Stephen Decatur Elementary School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
7711 43rd Ave Ne
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-3230
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-3230
Gr: K-5 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Nikola Tesla Stem High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4301 228th Ave Ne
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2770
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2770
Gr: 9-12 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Northstar Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
10903 Ne 53rd St
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-1760
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-1760
Gr: 6-8 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #55.
Medina Elementary School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
8001 Ne 8th St.
Medina, WA 98039
(425) 456-5400
Medina, WA 98039
(425) 456-5400
Gr: PK-5 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #66.
International Community School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
11133 Ne 65th St
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-2380
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 936-2380
Gr: 6-12 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #77.
Cherry Crest Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
12400 N.e. 32nd St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-4900
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-4900
Gr: PK-5 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #88.
Stella Schola
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
13505 Ne 75th Street
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2475
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2475
Gr: 6-8 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Sunrise Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
14075 172 Av Ne
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 408-5300
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 408-5300
Gr: PK-5 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1010.
Somerset Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
14100 Somerset Boulevard Se
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 456-5800
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 456-5800
Gr: K-5 | 741 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1111.
Cascade Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2020 Trossachs Blvd Se
Sammamish, WA 98075
(425) 837-5500
Sammamish, WA 98075
(425) 837-5500
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1212.
Island Park Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5437 Island Crest Way
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 236-3410
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 236-3410
Gr: K-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1313.
John Stanford International School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4057 5 Av Ne
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 252-6080
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 252-6080
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1414.
Louisa May Alcott Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4213 - 228th Ave Ne
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2490
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2490
Gr: K-5 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1515.
Rachel Carson Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1035 - 244th Ave Ne
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2750
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2750
Gr: PK-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1616.
International School
Alternative School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
445 128th Ave Se
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-6500
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-6500
Gr: 6-12 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Frantz Coe Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2424 7 Av W
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 252-2000
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 252-2000
Gr: K-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Samantha Smith Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
23305 Ne 14th St
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2710
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2710
Gr: K-5 | 545 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1919.
Explorer Community School
Alternative School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7040 208th Ne
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2533
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2533
Gr: 1-5 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Lakeridge Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8215 Se 78th
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 236-3415
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 236-3415
Gr: K-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Raisbeck Aviation High School
Alternative School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9229 East Marginal Way S
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 631-7200
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 631-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #20 - 2220. - 22.
Rosa Parks Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
22845 Ne Cedar Park Crescent
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2650
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 936-2650
Gr: K-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2323.
Bear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
18101 Avondale Rd Ne
Woodinville, WA 98077
(425) 408-6000
Woodinville, WA 98077
(425) 408-6000
Gr: PK-5
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
22130 Ne 133rd
Woodinville, WA 98077
(425) 936-2740
Woodinville, WA 98077
(425) 936-2740
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Mercer Island High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9100 Se 42nd
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 236-3345
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 236-3345
Gr: 9-12 | 1,439 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2626.
Margaret Mead Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1725 216th Ave Ne
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2630
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2630
Gr: K-5 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2727.
Spiritridge Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
16401 Se 24th Street
Bellevue, WA 98008
(425) 456-5900
Bellevue, WA 98008
(425) 456-5900
Gr: K-5 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2828.
Christa Mcauliffe Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
23823 Ne 22nd
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2620
Sammamish, WA 98074
(425) 936-2620
Gr: K-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2929.
Cougar Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4630 167th Ave Se
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 837-7300
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 837-7300
Gr: K-5 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3030.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2300 228th Ave Se
Sammamish, WA 98075
(425) 837-4100
Sammamish, WA 98075
(425) 837-4100
Gr: PK-5 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Albert Einstein Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
18025 Ne 116th
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2540
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2540
Gr: K-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Environmental & Adventure School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8040 Ne 132nd
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425) 936-2355
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425) 936-2355
Gr: 6-8 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
John J. Audubon Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3045 180th Ne
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2500
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-2500
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
View Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7047 50 Av Ne
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5600
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5600
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #31 - 3531. - 35.
Wedgwood Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2720 Ne 85 St
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5670
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 252-5670
Gr: K-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Show 100 more public schools in King County, WA (out of 537 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in King County, WA?
The top-ranked public schools in King County, WA include Cascadia Elementary School, Stephen Decatur Elementary School and Nikola Tesla Stem High School. King County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Washington.
How many public schools are located in King County?
537 public schools are located in King County.
What percentage of students in King County go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in King County are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in King County?
King County public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is more than the Washington public schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in King County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in King County include: Southwood Elementary School vs. Sunrise Elementary School, Mill Creek Middle School vs. Meeker Middle School, Summit Trail Middle School vs. Maple View Middle School
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