King County Schools & Education
King County, Washington
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
54/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
84.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
84.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,759
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
54/100
Higher = better
State avg 51/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#12
of 39 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: King County
School Verdict
King County has average school quality (score: 54/100) with a graduation rate of 84.6%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
King County spends $9,759 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for King County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 5% above the Washington average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in King County, Washington
A Massive Network of Public Schools
King County manages an expansive infrastructure of 537 public schools serving over 277,000 students. The system includes 298 elementary schools and 117 high schools spread across 28 distinct districts. This robust network forms the backbone of the state's largest educational community.
Strong Results and Competitive Spending
The county achieves an 84.6% graduation rate, which exceeds the state average of 81.4% but trailing the national 87% benchmark. Local per-pupil spending reaches $9,759, surpassing the Washington average of $9,250. This investment yields a school score of 56.6, consistently outperforming the state median.
Diverse Districts and Charter Options
Seattle School District leads the region with 51,238 students across 109 schools, followed closely by Lake Washington's 30,991 students. While traditional districts dominate, seven charter schools operate here, representing roughly 1.3% of the total school landscape. These options provide families with varied pathways within the public system.
Suburban and Urban Learning Hubs
Schools here offer a mix of 266 suburban and 241 urban settings with an average size of 538 students. Large campuses like Tahoma Senior High, serving 2,790 students, contrast with smaller rural and town schools. The environment ranges from high-density city classrooms to sprawling suburban campuses.
Locating Your Home Near Top Schools
With school scores consistently above the state average, King County remains a premier destination for education-focused homebuyers. Prospective residents should explore neighborhoods near high-performing hubs like Issaquah or Redmond to secure proximity to top-tier campuses. School quality remains a central driver of long-term property value in this region.
School Overview
Total Schools
537
in King County
Total Enrollment
277,044
students
School Districts
28
districts
Charter Schools
7
1% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
28 School Districts in King County
Seattle School District No. 1
Lake Washington School District
Kent School District
Federal Way School District
Issaquah School District
Bellevue School District
Highline School District
Auburn School District
Renton School District
Shoreline School District
537 Public Schools in King County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahoma Senior High School | Tahoma School District | 9–12 | High | 2,790 |
| Issaquah High School | Issaquah School District | 9–12 | High | 2,412 |
| Eastlake High School | Lake Washington School District | 9–12 | High | 2,349 |
| Redmond High School | Lake Washington School District | 9–12 | High | 2,218 |
| Skyline High School | Issaquah School District | 9–12 | High | 2,170 |
| Kent-Meridian High School | Kent School District | 9–12 | High | 2,128 |
| Mount Si High School | Snoqualmie Valley School District | 9–12 | High | 2,081 |
| Kentridge High School | Kent School District | 9–12 | High | 2,034 |
| Lake Washington High School | Lake Washington School District | 9–12 | High | 2,015 |
| Auburn Riverside High School | Auburn School District | 9–12 | High | 1,909 |
| Mount Rainier High School | Highline School District | 9–12 | High | 1,873 |
| Hazen Senior High School | Renton School District | 9–12 | High | 1,871 |
| Auburn Senior High School | Auburn School District | 9–12 | High | 1,844 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School | Federal Way School District | 9–12 | High | 1,797 |
| Bothell High School | Northshore School District | 9–12 | High | 1,764 |
| Kentwood High School | Kent School District | 9–12 | High | 1,733 |
| Newport Senior High School | Bellevue School District | 9–12 | High | 1,726 |
| Juanita High School | Lake Washington School District | 9–12 | High | 1,695 |
| Lincoln High School | Seattle School District No. 1 | 9–12 | High | 1,653 |
| Garfield High School | Seattle School District No. 1 | 9–12 | High | 1,642 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,759
State avg $9,250
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in King County rate?
What is the graduation rate in King County?
How much does King County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in King County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in King County, Washington?
King County manages an expansive infrastructure of 537 public schools serving over 277,000 students. The system includes 298 elementary schools and 117 high schools spread across 28 distinct districts. This robust network forms the backbone of the state's largest educational community.
How do schools in King County perform academically?
The county achieves an 84.6% graduation rate, which exceeds the state average of 81.4% but trailing the national 87% benchmark. Local per-pupil spending reaches $9,759, surpassing the Washington average of $9,250. This investment yields a school score of 56.6, consistently outperforming the state median.
What are the major school districts in King County, Washington?
Seattle School District leads the region with 51,238 students across 109 schools, followed closely by Lake Washington's 30,991 students. While traditional districts dominate, seven charter schools operate here, representing roughly 1.3% of the total school landscape. These options provide families with varied pathways within the public system.
What is the school experience like in King County?
Schools here offer a mix of 266 suburban and 241 urban settings with an average size of 538 students. Large campuses like Tahoma Senior High, serving 2,790 students, contrast with smaller rural and town schools. The environment ranges from high-density city classrooms to sprawling suburban campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in King County, Washington?
With school scores consistently above the state average, King County remains a premier destination for education-focused homebuyers. Prospective residents should explore neighborhoods near high-performing hubs like Issaquah or Redmond to secure proximity to top-tier campuses. School quality remains a central driver of long-term property value in this region.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.