Top 10 Private High Schools in Seattle
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private High Schools in Seattle
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private high school in the Seattle area is Lakeside School, the prestigious independent day school whose rigorous college-prep curriculum, deep faculty, and matriculation to the nation's top universities place it at the top of every regional ranking. The Best Value pick is Seattle Preparatory School, a Jesuit Catholic school whose strong academics and need-based aid deliver elite outcomes at a tuition well below the secular independents.
This list is built for families and students weighing private enrollment across the greater Seattle metro, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, values, and fit. Every pick uses publicly reported data from school profiles, Niche, U.S. News, and Private School Review.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families bring to private-school decisions, drawing on figures from Niche, U.S. News, Private School Review, and individual school profiles. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) at 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes at 20%
- Value and cost (tuition, aid) at 15%
- Teachers and resources at 15%
- Environment, values, and safety at 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit at 10%
A school with elite test scores but thin aid, or a strong reputation but weak college outcomes, drops in the ranking. The winners balance all six.
1. Lakeside School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private Independent (Coed) | Tuition: About \$44,000/year | Best for: High-achieving students seeking the region's most rigorous college-prep program
Lakeside School in north Seattle enrolls roughly 850 students across grades 5 to 12 and is the most selective independent school in the Pacific Northwest, famous as the alma mater of Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Lakeside posts near-universal four-year college matriculation, with graduates regularly heading to the Ivies, Stanford, MIT, and top liberal arts colleges.
Average SAT scores run well above 1400, and a student-teacher ratio near 9:1 supports seminar-style classes. The school's financial aid program is robust, with roughly a quarter of students receiving need-based support.
Pros:
- Region-leading matriculation to elite universities
- Student-teacher ratio near 9:1
- Robust need-based financial aid
- Deep faculty and academic resources
Cons:
- Admission is highly selective
- High tuition before aid
Verdict: Lakeside wins on balance, the most rigorous and well-resourced private school in the region.
2. The Bush School
Type: Private Independent (Coed) | Tuition: About \$42,000/year | Best for: Students wanting a progressive, discussion-based college-prep program
The Bush School in Seattle's Madison Valley enrolls about 650 students across grades K to 12 and is known for its progressive, inquiry-based approach. Bush posts strong four-year college matriculation, average SAT scores near 1350, and a student-teacher ratio around 8:1.
Its experiential learning, outdoor programs, and small classes are real strengths, and graduates head to selective national universities and liberal arts colleges.
Pros:
- Progressive, discussion-based curriculum
- Student-teacher ratio around 8:1
- Strong experiential and outdoor programs
- Selective-college matriculation
Cons:
- High tuition before aid
- Progressive model may not suit all learners
Verdict: The top progressive independent school, ideal for students who thrive on inquiry and discussion.
3. Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences
Type: Private Independent (Coed) | Tuition: About \$43,000/year | Best for: Students wanting strong academics paired with arts and athletics
Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS) on Capitol Hill enrolls about 800 students across grades 6 to 12 and pairs strong academics with celebrated arts and athletics. SAAS posts strong college matriculation, average SAT scores near 1320, and a student-teacher ratio around 8:1.
Its performing arts, visual arts, and athletics programs are among the best in the city's independent sector, and graduates enroll in selective four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Strong arts and athletics programs
- Student-teacher ratio around 8:1
- Selective-college matriculation
- Urban campus with deep electives
Cons:
- High tuition before aid
- Urban campus limits outdoor space
Verdict: The best independent school for arts-minded students who also want strong academics.
4. University Prep
Type: Private Independent (Coed) | Tuition: About \$43,000/year | Best for: Families wanting a close-knit, college-prep community
University Prep in northeast Seattle enrolls about 600 students across grades 6 to 12 in a close-knit, college-prep program. UPrep posts strong four-year college matriculation, average SAT scores near 1330, and a student-teacher ratio around 8:1. Its emphasis on community, global programs, and student support is a real strength, with graduates heading to selective national universities.
Pros:
- Close-knit community and strong advising
- Student-teacher ratio around 8:1
- Strong global and travel programs
- Selective-college matriculation
Cons:
- High tuition before aid
- Smaller athletics offerings than peers
Verdict: A community-focused independent school with strong academics and close student support.
5. Seattle Preparatory School 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private Catholic (Jesuit, Coed) | Tuition: About \$23,000/year | Best for: Families wanting Jesuit values and strong academics at a moderate tuition
Seattle Preparatory School on Capitol Hill enrolls about 750 students in grades 9 to 12 and delivers strong Jesuit college-prep academics at a tuition well below the secular independents. Seattle Prep posts a graduation rate near 99%, strong AP participation, and average SAT scores near 1280, with robust need-based aid that widens access.
Its service-learning, athletics, and faith formation programs are well regarded, and graduates enroll heavily in selective four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Strong outcomes at roughly half the secular tuition
- Robust need-based financial aid
- Graduation rate near 99%
- Service-learning and Jesuit values
Cons:
- Catholic identity may not suit all families
- Larger classes than the small independents
Verdict: The value champion, delivering elite Jesuit college-prep outcomes at a far lower price than the independents.
6. O'Dea High School
Type: Private Catholic (Boys) | Tuition: About \$20,000/year | Best for: Families wanting a values-based, all-boys college-prep school
O'Dea High School on First Hill in Seattle enrolls about 500 students in grades 9 to 12 as an all-boys Catholic school run in the Christian Brothers tradition. O'Dea posts a graduation rate near 98%, solid AP participation, and strong athletics, with need-based aid that broadens access.
Graduates enroll in a wide range of four-year colleges, and the school's brotherhood culture and service programs are real strengths.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 98%
- Strong all-boys community and athletics
- Need-based financial aid
- Moderate tuition
Cons:
- Single-gender model is not for everyone
- Smaller AP catalog than the large independents
Verdict: A strong, affordable all-boys Catholic option with deep community and athletics.
7. Holy Names Academy
Type: Private Catholic (Girls) | Tuition: About \$21,000/year | Best for: Families wanting a rigorous, all-girls college-prep school
Holy Names Academy on Capitol Hill enrolls about 700 students in grades 9 to 12 as Seattle's oldest continuously operating school and a top all-girls Catholic option. Holy Names posts a graduation rate near 99%, high AP participation, and average SAT scores near 1290, with strong need-based aid.
Its STEM, leadership, and service programs are well regarded, and graduates enroll heavily in selective four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 99%
- High AP participation
- Strong all-girls STEM and leadership programs
- Need-based aid and moderate tuition
Cons:
- Single-gender model is not for everyone
- Catholic identity may not suit all families
Verdict: The best all-girls Catholic school in Seattle, with rigorous academics and strong STEM programming.
8. Eastside Catholic School
Type: Private Catholic (Coed) | Tuition: About \$22,000/year | Best for: Eastside families wanting coed Catholic academics and athletics
Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish enrolls about 900 students across grades 6 to 12 and is the leading coed Catholic school on the Eastside. It posts a graduation rate near 99%, solid AP participation, and competitive athletics, with need-based aid that widens access.
Graduates enroll in a broad range of four-year colleges, and the school's faith formation and athletics programs are strengths.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 99%
- Competitive athletics
- Coed Catholic community
- Need-based aid and moderate tuition
Cons:
- Larger classes than the small independents
- Catholic identity may not suit all families
Verdict: The top coed Catholic school on the Eastside, with strong academics and athletics.
9. The Northwest School
Type: Private Independent (Coed) | Tuition: About \$42,000/year | Best for: Students wanting a global, arts-rich, environmentally focused program
The Northwest School in downtown Seattle enrolls about 500 students across grades 6 to 12 and is known for its global, environmentally focused, arts-rich curriculum. It posts strong college matriculation, average SAT scores near 1300, and a student-teacher ratio around 8:1.
Its international student community, environmental programs, and arts offerings are distinctive, and graduates head to selective national universities.
Pros:
- Global, environmentally focused curriculum
- Strong arts programs
- Student-teacher ratio around 8:1
- Diverse international community
Cons:
- High tuition before aid
- Urban campus limits athletics space
Verdict: A distinctive global, arts-rich independent school for environmentally minded students.
10. Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Type: Private Catholic (Girls) | Tuition: About \$38,000/year | Best for: Families wanting an all-girls, college-prep Sacred Heart education
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue enrolls about 400 students across grades 5 to 12 as an all-girls Sacred Heart college-prep school. It posts strong four-year college matriculation, average SAT scores near 1300, and a student-teacher ratio around 8:1.
Its leadership, STEM, and global Sacred Heart network are real strengths, with need-based aid that broadens access.
Pros:
- Strong all-girls college-prep outcomes
- Student-teacher ratio around 8:1
- Global Sacred Heart network
- Need-based aid
Cons:
- Single-gender model is not for everyone
- High tuition before aid
Verdict: A strong all-girls Sacred Heart option with rigorous academics and a global network.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private High School
- College matriculation and outcomes. Where graduates actually enroll, and how the school supports applications, matters more than reputation alone.
- Tuition and financial aid. A school's sticker price tells only part of the story; robust need-based aid can make an elite school accessible.
- Student-teacher ratio and faculty. Small classes and experienced, stable faculty drive the close mentorship families pay for.
- Values and culture. Catholic, Sacred Heart, Jesuit, and secular-progressive schools differ sharply; choose the culture that fits your family.
- Single-gender versus coed. All-boys and all-girls schools like O'Dea and Holy Names suit some students well and others not at all.
- Program fit. Arts at Seattle Academy, environmental focus at Northwest, or athletics at Eastside Catholic may matter more than a higher overall ranking.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's brand name, its newest building, or its average SAT alone. Fit, values, aid, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which private high school is the best overall in the Seattle area? Lakeside School earns the top spot for its rigorous college-prep curriculum, near-universal matriculation to elite universities, and a student-teacher ratio near 9:1 with robust need-based aid.
What is the best value private high school in Seattle? Seattle Preparatory School is our best value, delivering a graduation rate near 99% and strong Jesuit college-prep academics at a tuition roughly half that of the secular independents, with significant need-based aid.
Which Seattle private high schools offer financial aid? Most top schools, including Lakeside, Seattle Prep, Holy Names, and O'Dea, offer substantial need-based financial aid; Lakeside supports roughly a quarter of its students, and the Catholic schools widen access through parish and donor funds.
Are there strong single-gender private schools in Seattle? Yes. O'Dea High School (all-boys) and Holy Names Academy and Forest Ridge (all-girls) are top single-gender Catholic options with strong academics and graduation rates near 98% to 99%.
Which Seattle private school is best for the arts? Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences leads on performing and visual arts, while The Northwest School offers a distinctive arts-rich, globally focused curriculum.
How much does private high school cost in Seattle? Secular independents like Lakeside, Bush, and Seattle Academy run about \$42,000 to \$44,000 per year, while Catholic schools like Seattle Prep and O'Dea run about \$20,000 to \$23,000, all before need-based aid.
Bottom Line
For Seattle-area families, Lakeside School is our Best Overall private high school, with the region's most rigorous college-prep curriculum and near-universal matriculation to elite universities. Seattle Preparatory School is our Best Value, delivering a graduation rate near 99% and strong Jesuit academics at roughly half the secular tuition with robust aid.
If your priority is a progressive curriculum, the arts, a single-gender community, or a faith-based education, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Bush, Seattle Academy, O'Dea, or Holy Names instead. Choose on fit, values, aid, and outcomes, not a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to thrive.
Sources
- Niche - Best Private High Schools in the Seattle Area
- U.S. News - Private high school profiles
- Private School Review - Washington private schools
- Lakeside School
- Seattle Preparatory School
- Holy Names Academy
- The Bush School
- Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Eastside Catholic School
- The Seattle Times - education coverage
*Private high schools in Seattle review - best private high schools Seattle, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families.*