Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Public High Schools in Seattle
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Public High Schools in Seattle
Direct Answer
The Best Overall public high school in the Seattle area is Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, a choice-admission STEM magnet in the Lake Washington School District whose graduation rate above 97% and project-based engineering and biomedical pathways routinely place it at the top of Washington's rankings.
The Best Value pick is The International School in Bellevue, a tuition-free public choice school whose IB-style global curriculum delivers elite college outcomes to any admitted family without private-school cost. This list is built for families and students weighing where to enroll across the greater Seattle metro, with a focus on academics, college readiness, and fit.
Every pick uses publicly reported data from OSPI, U.S. News, Niche, and district report cards.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families bring to enrollment decisions, drawing on figures from U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the College Board. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB) at 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes at 20%
- Value and cost at 15%
- Teachers and resources at 15%
- Environment and safety at 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit at 10%
A school with strong test scores but weak graduation rates, or a big reputation but thin programs, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. Tesla STEM High School (Redmond) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Public Choice STEM Magnet | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: High-achieving students seeking deep engineering and biomedical pathways
Tesla STEM High School in Redmond, part of the Lake Washington School District, enrolls roughly 600 students in a project-based program centered on engineering, biomedicine, and computer science. Tesla posts a graduation rate above 97% and one of the highest AP participation and pass rates in the region, with most students completing multiple AP exams and capstone research projects before graduation.
Average SAT scores land near 1300 to 1400, and partnerships with Microsoft and regional employers feed internships and mentorships. Matriculation skews toward the University of Washington, top engineering programs, and selective privates.
Pros:
- Region-leading AP participation and pass rates
- Project-based STEM with industry mentorships
- Graduation rate above 97%
- Small, focused student community
Cons:
- Choice admission is competitive and lottery-based
- STEM focus may not suit humanities-first students
Verdict: Tesla wins on balance, pairing the area's deepest STEM programming with elite outcomes.
2. The International School (Bellevue) 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Public Choice (IB-style) | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a global, college-prep curriculum at no cost
The International School in Bellevue, part of the Bellevue School District, enrolls about 650 students across grades 6 to 12 in a small, globally focused choice program. It reports a graduation rate near 98%, strong AP and IB-style coursework, and average SAT scores around 1290.
The school delivers top-tier college outcomes tuition-free to any admitted family, with no private-school price tag, making it the standout value in the metro. Its student-teacher ratio near 15:1 supports seminar-style classes and close advising.
Pros:
- Free access to a global, college-prep curriculum
- Graduation rate near 98%
- Small classes and close advising
- Strong four-year college matriculation
Cons:
- Choice admission can fill quickly
- Smaller athletics offerings than comprehensive schools
Verdict: The value champion, delivering elite college-prep outcomes free to admitted Bellevue families.
3. Newport High School (Bellevue)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a top comprehensive school with an IB diploma option
Newport High School in Bellevue enrolls about 1,500 students and pairs a strong comprehensive program with a respected International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma pathway. Newport reports a graduation rate near 96%, broad AP and IB offerings, and average SAT scores around 1280.
Its well-funded arts, debate, and athletics programs are among the strongest on the Eastside, and a high share of graduates enroll in four-year colleges including the University of Washington and selective out-of-state schools.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96% with strong college enrollment
- IB diploma plus deep AP catalog
- Standout debate, arts, and athletics
- Open enrollment for zoned families
Cons:
- Large enrollment means bigger core classes
- High-pressure peer environment
Verdict: The best comprehensive school on the Eastside, with an IB diploma option few peers match.
4. Interlake High School (Bellevue)
Type: Public (IB Magnet) | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Students seeking a rigorous IB diploma pathway
Interlake High School in Bellevue houses one of the region's flagship IB programs alongside its home school, enrolling roughly 1,500 students. Interlake posts a graduation rate above 95% with strong SAT averages near 1290 and high IB diploma completion. The school's diverse student body and competitive academic teams are real strengths, and matriculation runs strong to the University of Washington and selective national universities.
Pros:
- Flagship IB program with strong diploma completion
- Graduation rate above 95%
- Diverse student community
- Competitive academic and math teams
Cons:
- IB workload is demanding for the full diploma
- Popular electives fill quickly
Verdict: A premier IB option, ideal for students who want the full diploma rigor.
5. Roosevelt High School (Seattle)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Seattle families wanting strong academics and renowned arts
Roosevelt High School in north Seattle, part of Seattle Public Schools, serves about 1,700 students and is consistently among the top comprehensive schools in the city. Roosevelt reports a graduation rate near 92%, a broad AP catalog, and average SAT scores around 1230.
Its jazz band and music program are nationally recognized, and the school sends a strong share of graduates to four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Nationally recognized music and arts programs
- Graduation rate near 92%
- Broad AP offerings
- Strong four-year college enrollment
Cons:
- Large urban enrollment yields sizable classes
- SAT averages trail the top Eastside magnets
Verdict: The top Seattle Public Schools comprehensive option, with arts programs that stand out nationally.
6. Garfield High School (Seattle)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a diverse comprehensive school with deep AP access
Garfield High School in central Seattle enrolls about 1,600 students and is known for its diverse student body, strong AP program, and celebrated jazz ensemble. Garfield reports a graduation rate near 88%, broad AP participation, and average SAT scores around 1200.
The school's academic, music, and athletics programs are well regarded, and graduates head to the University of Washington and a wide range of four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Diverse, vibrant student community
- Strong AP participation
- Award-winning jazz program
- Open enrollment for zoned families
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the top suburban schools
- Large urban enrollment
Verdict: A diverse, AP-rich Seattle standout with one of the best music programs in the country.
7. Bellevue High School (Bellevue)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting balanced academics and powerhouse athletics
Bellevue High School in Bellevue serves about 1,400 students and pairs strong academics with one of the state's most successful athletics programs. Bellevue reports a graduation rate near 95%, a broad AP catalog, and average SAT scores around 1260. Its football and athletics programs are perennial state contenders, and a high share of graduates enroll in four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 95%
- Broad AP offerings
- Powerhouse athletics programs
- Well-funded electives
Cons:
- Athletics reputation can overshadow academics
- Affluent zone limits socioeconomic diversity
Verdict: A balanced school with elite athletics and solid college-prep academics.
8. Mercer Island High School (Mercer Island)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families seeking a small, high-performing comprehensive school
Mercer Island High School on Mercer Island enrolls about 1,400 students and is a perennial high performer in a small, well-funded district. Mercer Island reports a graduation rate near 96%, high AP participation, and average SAT scores around 1270. The school's academic, arts, and athletics programs are strong, with most graduates enrolling in four-year colleges.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- High AP participation and pass rates
- Small, well-funded district
- Strong four-year college matriculation
Cons:
- Less program specialization than the magnets
- Island location limits attendance zone diversity
Verdict: A reliably excellent small-district school with strong outcomes year after year.
9. Skyline High School (Sammamish)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Eastside families wanting strong STEM and athletics
Skyline High School in Sammamish, part of the Issaquah School District, enrolls about 2,000 students and is one of the largest top-tier schools on the Eastside. Skyline reports a graduation rate near 96%, broad AP offerings, and average SAT scores around 1270.
Its STEM clubs, robotics teams, and athletics are competitive, and graduates enroll heavily in four-year colleges including the University of Washington.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 96%
- Strong STEM clubs and robotics
- Competitive athletics
- Broad AP catalog
Cons:
- Large enrollment yields bigger classes
- Popular electives can fill quickly
Verdict: A STEM-forward Eastside standout with strong academics and athletics at scale.
10. Ballard High School (Seattle)
Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Seattle families wanting strong academics plus career and technical pathways
Ballard High School in northwest Seattle enrolls about 1,700 students and blends solid college preparation with career and technical education (CTE) pathways, including a respected maritime academy program. Ballard reports a graduation rate near 90%, broad AP participation, and average SAT scores around 1210.
The school's music, arts, and CTE programs are well regarded, and graduates head to a wide range of four-year colleges and skilled trades.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 90%
- Strong CTE and maritime pathways
- Broad AP offerings
- Well-regarded music and arts programs
Cons:
- SAT averages trail the top Eastside schools
- Large urban enrollment
Verdict: The best Seattle CTE-plus-academic option, excellent for career-focused, college-bound students.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School
- Graduation and college-going rates. A school that graduates 95%+ of students and sends most to four-year colleges signals consistent outcomes, not just high scores from a few.
- AP and IB depth and pass rates. Look beyond how many courses are offered to how many students actually pass the exams, which reflects real classroom rigor.
- Student-teacher ratio and resources. Smaller ratios and stable, experienced faculty matter more than building age or marketing.
- Choice versus open enrollment. Magnets like Tesla STEM offer depth but require lottery admission, while top comprehensive schools like Newport deliver strong outcomes to zoned families.
- Environment and safety. Check climate surveys and discipline data, not reputation alone, to gauge whether a student will thrive.
- Program fit. A CTE pathway at Ballard or an IB diploma at Interlake may serve a specific student far better than a higher overall ranking.
What matters less than marketing implies: a school's national ranking number, its newest building, or its average SAT alone. Fit, program access, and a supportive teacher relationship affect a student's outcome far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which public high school is the best overall in the Seattle area? Tesla STEM High School in Redmond earns the top spot for its project-based STEM pathways, AP participation among the highest in the region, and a graduation rate above 97% with strong selective-college matriculation.
What is the best value public high school in Seattle? The International School in Bellevue is our best value, delivering a graduation rate near 98% and a global college-prep curriculum tuition-free to any admitted family, with no private-school cost.
Which Seattle-area public high school is best for STEM? Tesla STEM High School is the most STEM-focused, with engineering and biomedical pathways and industry mentorships, while Skyline in Sammamish offers strong robotics and STEM clubs at a larger comprehensive school.
Do the top Seattle public high schools require an application? The choice schools, including Tesla STEM, The International School, and Interlake's IB program, require lottery or application admission, while comprehensive schools like Newport, Roosevelt, and Mercer Island are open to families in their attendance zones.
Which area has the best public high schools near Seattle? The Eastside, including Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, and Mercer Island, dominates the rankings on academics, while Seattle Public Schools standouts like Roosevelt and Garfield lead on arts and diversity.
Is an IB or AP program better in Seattle public schools? Both are excellent. Interlake and Newport's IB diplomas offer a structured, internationally recognized pathway, while AP-heavy schools like Tesla STEM and Skyline let students choose individual rigorous courses; the right fit depends on the student's learning style.
Bottom Line
For Seattle-area families, Tesla STEM High School is our Best Overall public high school, with project-based STEM pathways, region-leading AP participation, and a graduation rate above 97%. The International School in Bellevue is our Best Value, delivering a graduation rate near 98% and a global college-prep curriculum tuition-free to every admitted family.
If your priority is elite STEM, an IB diploma, or a career-and-technical pathway, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Tesla STEM, Interlake, or Ballard instead. Choose on program fit, outcomes, and access, not a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Washington High Schools rankings
- Niche - Best Public High Schools in the Seattle Area
- GreatSchools - Washington school ratings
- Washington OSPI - Report Card
- College Board - AP program data
- NCES - National Center for Education Statistics school search
- Lake Washington School District - Tesla STEM High School
- Bellevue School District
- Seattle Public Schools
- The Seattle Times - education coverage
*Public high schools in Seattle review - best public high schools Seattle, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for families.*