If you’re looking to enrol your child in one of the best private schools in Seattle, you have plenty of options to choose from. Whether your child has already been diagnosed with special needs or you just want to provide them with more tailored education, there are many excellent options all across the city that will provide your child with the best possible education, whether it’s in maths or science, foreign languages or music and art, extracurricular activities or athletics, and more.
Seattle has plenty of excellent public schools, but if you’re willing to spend more on tuition, private schools may offer advantages over their public counterparts in the form of smaller class sizes, more individualised attention, and greater access to extracurricular activities and teachers. Here are 6 of the best private schools in Seattle.
The 6 Best Private Schools in Seattle
1. Lakeside School
Lakeside School is a co-educational independent day school in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1919 by Frank G. Moran as Morean-Lakeside School. The school’s scenic location on the shores of Lake Washington makes it a popular choice for families looking for a serene setting.
The school enrols 858 students in grades 5–12 and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Lakeside is consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in the United States by various media outlets.
Lakeside offers an excellent education, competitive athletics, college preparatory and honours courses. The school has a strong academic program and also offers a variety of sports, including basketball, football, track and field, wrestling, tennis, swimming, golf, and many more. Lakeside is a great choice for families looking for a well-rounded education for their children.
Some of Lakeside School’s notable alumni are:
- Dr Frederic Moll, a medical device developer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Intuitive Surgical, an American company involved in robotic products
- William Booth Gardner, an American politician and the 19th governor of Washington between 1985 and 1993
- Wilber Brotherton Huston, an American scientist and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) mission director
- William Henry Gates II, a prominent American business magnate, software developer, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Duncan Fuller Atwood, a former athlete who won a gold medal twice in the javelin throw at the Pan American Games
- Freddie Wong, an American filmmaker, VFX artist, podcaster and competitive gamer
- Craig McCaw, an American businessman, entrepreneur and the founder of McCaw Cellular and Clearwire Corporation
2. The Overlake School
The Overlake School is a private coeducational, non-sectarian day school located in Redmond, Washington. The school serves approximately 531 students from grades 5 through 12. The Overlake was founded in 1967 and is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools.
The Overlake School is a top-rated private school in Seattle that offers excellent education and competitive athletics. The school has a long tradition of excellence in academics and athletics, and its students are some of the most sought-after in the country.
The school’s athletic program is one of the most competitive in the state, and its teams have won numerous championships in sports such as golf, tennis, football, lacrosse and many more. Overlake actively competes in the Emerald City 1A League of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Overlake is known for its diversity and non-discriminative policy. The student body is made up of students from all over the world and is committed to diversity and inclusion, with a student body that is 69.4% minority enrollment.
Some of The Overlake School’s notable alumni are:
- Carrie Rachel Brownstein, an American musician, actress, writer, director and comedienne
- Jeremy Stamper, an American entrepreneur, politician and Democratic candidate for the United States Senate in South Carolina
3. Eastside Preparatory School
Eastside Preparatory School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school located in Kirkland, Washington, serving grades 6-12. The school actively commenced service in September 2001 with just under 20 students and has since grown to over 500 students.
Eastside Prep is known for its rigorous academics, with a curriculum that includes AP and IB courses. The school also has a strong focus on the arts, history, mathematics, and technology. Eastside Prep has a low student-to-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, allowing more individualised attention.
Eastside Prep is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. The school’s mission is to provide an excellent education for all students, regardless of their ability to pay.
The school also has a strong athletics program, with teams competing in the Emerald City League 1A athletic conference. Eastside Prep is a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and offers a variety of sports including basketball, rowing, tennis, ultimate frisbee, cross country, football, track & field, and volleyball.
4. Annie Wright Schools
Annie Wright Schools is a co-educational, independent day and boarding institution established in 1884 by “Right Reverend John Adams Paddock” and “Charles Barstow Wright” as “Annie Wright Seminary“.
The school enrolled students from preschool through 12th grade. Annie Wright Schools is one of the oldest continuously operating co-educational day schools west of the Mississippi River. The school’s motto is “From strength to strength“.
The school is known for its strong academics, with a 100% college placement rate for its graduates. In addition to its excellent academics, Annie Wright School also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and drama.
Annie Wright Schools is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools and the Board of Trustees of the Annie Wright Schools. The Middle and Upper schools are International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, which are authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme.
5. University Prep
Founded in 1971 by a group of Seattle Public Schools, University Prep or UPrep is a top private college preparatory and co-educational school in Seattle. Located in Wedgwood, a middle-class residential neighbourhood of Seattle northeast, University Prep educates students from grades 6 to 12. The school’s mission is to prepare each student for success in college and beyond.
UPrep consistently ranks among the best in the state and offers a rigorous curriculum that will not only teach academic courses, but also instil kids with leadership skills, a bright future, problem-solving skills, and many more. In addition to strong academics, University Prep also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, from sports to student clubs. And with small class sizes, your child will get the individualised attention they need to thrive.
Some of University Prep’s notable alumni are:
- Benjamin Mako Hill, a free software activist, hacker, technologist, author, professor, and contributor to the Debian and Ubuntu projects
- Justin Kan, an American internet entrepreneur and co-founder of the law-tech company Atrium
- Robert M. Johnson, an American politician who served on the Seattle City Council
- Katherine Alexandra Reynolds, a former professional football player who played as a defender for the Portland Thorns of the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League)
- Sam Cho, an American politician and entrepreneur currently serving as a commissioner of the Port of Seattle
6. The Bush School
The Bush School is a top-rated private school in Seattle that was founded in 1924. It was established by “Helen Taylor Bush” as an all-girls school, but was formally renamed in 1970 and became co-ed. The school has a rigorous academic program and competitive sports teams.
Bush students can participate in many extracurricular activities, including music, drama, and community service. The school also offers a variety of AP courses.
Some of Bush School’s notable alumni are:
- Christopher Ballew, an American musician and a member of “the President of the United States of America” band
- Mary Ellen Greenfield, an American editorial working for “Washington Post” and “Newsweek”
- Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey, a medical doctor and an executive who served as the president of the “Robert Wood Johnson Foundation”
Conclusion
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. With so many great options in the Seattle area, it can be hard to narrow down your choices.
If you’re looking for the best private school in Seattle, you can’t go wrong with any of the 6 schools on this list. Each school has something unique to offer, whether it’s a rigorous academic program, well-rounded curriculums, competitive sports programs, a supportive community, or a commitment to service.
Whichever school you choose, you can be confident that your child will receive a top-notch education.
REFERENCES
- Niche.com – Best Private Schools in Seattle
- Lakesideschools.blog.com – Lakeside School
- Overlake.org – The Overlake School
- Eastsideprep.org – Eastside Preparatory School
- Aw.org – Annie Wright Schools
- Universityprep.org – University Prep
- Bush.edu – The Bush School
