Best Seattle Public Elementary Schools

Looking for the best Seattle public elementary schools? Read on and find out.

Seattle is known for its scenery, outdoor attractions, and iconic skyline. Seattle is also known for concerned parents wondering if they should send their kids to private schools or move to a neighborhood with higher-achieving schools. This is a common tale of millennials beginning the buying process of their second home.

If you are just about to have your first little one, you have at least 5 years before schools matter and 10 years before you need to worry about middle school. So, we will focus on elementary schools as most people only stay in their homes for 5-10 years. 

Public vs Private Elementary Schools: A Matter of Cost

So, private schools will cost you about $40,000 a year per kid. This translates to $3,330 a month, the same as adding $550,000 on top of your mortgage payment with an interest rate of 6.67%.  So what do you do? Pony up on the home or a private school? This blog will focus on the former option. Stay tuned for the private school option in another blog. 

The schools in this list promote innovation, diversity, and exceptional academic standards, fostering a foundation for learning in the coming years. These schools are just six examples and are situated in fun, vibrant neighborhoods with various entry costs into each community. These schools offer diverse learning experiences, contributing to their fabulous successes. Let’s explore six of the highest-achieving elementary schools in Seattle, the neighborhoods they occupy, and the factors that make them shine. 

As always, I’ve included the median home price in each area the school serves and a link to active listings in the area. 

(#1) Greenwood Elementary | Great Schools 10/10  | Class Size 20:1 – THE BEST SEATTLE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY!

Greenwood Elementary is an exceptional educational institution that stands out for its unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a dynamic learning environment. It distinguishes itself through its dedicated and highly qualified faculty, who employ innovative teaching methods to inspire a love for learning in every student. With a rich curriculum that combines rigorous academic standards with a holistic approach, Greenwood Elementary is the best Seattle public elementary school.

Greenwood elementary encourages critical thinking, creativity, and character development. The school’s emphasis on inclusivity creates a warm, supportive community where every student feels valued and respected. From state-of-the-art facilities to a wide range of extracurricular activities, Greenwood Elementary provides ample opportunities for students to explore their passions and develop well-rounded personalities. With its unwavering focus on excellence, Greenwood Elementary shines as a beacon of education, empowering students to reach their full potential and preparing them for a successful future. All students thrive in Greenwood Elementary. Equity scores are great showing that this is a school where everyone is welcome to succeed. Teachers are all experienced (95%). Parents are very involved, friendly ,and committed. All test scores are far above the state average. 

Greenwood Elementary School’s Housing Market:

The median size of a home sold in the last 90 days is a three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home with a median price of $980,000 and a median size of 1,920 square feet. Homes in this area most often sell in 5 days for 5-6% more than the asking price. 

CLICK HERE to see active listings.

The Lawton Elementary School | Great Schools 9/10 | Class Size 20:1  

Tucked into Magnolia’s historic community, Lawton Elementary School stands out for its comprehensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) curriculum. Its project-based learning approach empowers students to link their classroom learning with real-world scenarios. Serving Magnolia’s Northern half, Lawton casts a wide net of influence. Magnolia also serves kids with great middle and high schools. Magnolia can be one of the best neighborhoods for free-range parenting, meaning your kids can roam in Magnolia safely with more parks than homes and no major thoroughfare to worry about. 

Lawton Elementary School Housing Market: 

The median size of a home to have sold in the last 90 days is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a median price of $1,117,000 and a median size of 1,900 square feet. Homes in this area typically sell in five days for list price. 

CLICK HERE to see active listings

Cascadia Elementary School | Great Schools 9/10 | Class Size 20:1

Positioned in Licton Springs, Cascadia Elementary School is a specialized school catering to Highly Capable Cohort (HCC) students. Its tailored curriculum accommodates the needs of gifted learners. While Cascadia primarily serves North Seattle, its stellar reputation attracts students citywide. Student’s living in the Cascadia HCC pathway area (most of Magnolia, Queen Anne, and North Seattle: MAP) who test into the HCC program may be assigned to Cascadia. Students in other areas can apply to Cascadia via SPS’s school choice program. 

Cascadia Elementary School Housing Market:

The median size of a home to have sold in the last 90 days in the Cascadia HCC pathway zone is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a median price of $965,000 and a median size of 1,780 square feet. Homes in this area typically sell in six days for list price. 

There’s over 300 active listings in this area at any one time, making a handy map a bit too cluttered. Reach out to us for a listing map catered specifically to your needs!

Whittier Elementary School | Great Schools 9/10 | Class Size 18:1 NEARLY THE BEST SEATTLE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY.

Whittier Elementary is just slightly north and east of Ballard in Whittier Heights. This Seattle school succeeds in multiple ways due to its specific strategies and attributes. One key factor is its strong focus on individualized instruction. This is where teachers assess each student’s needs and tailor their teaching methods accordingly. This strategy ensures personalized attention and support, promoting academic growth and allowing students to progress independently. Additionally, Whittier Elementary cultivates a collaborative and engaging learning environment, fostering strong teacher-student relationships and encouraging peer interaction. This enables active participation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills.

The school also highly emphasizes professional development for its educators, providing ongoing training and resources to stay abreast of the latest teaching methodologies and research-based practices. This commitment to continuous improvement translates into high-quality instruction. Moreover, Whittier Elementary actively involves parents and the wider community in education through open communication, volunteer opportunities, and family engagement programs, creating a strong support network for student success. By combining these factors, Whittier Elementary School creates a thriving educational ecosystem that empowers students to excel academically, socially, and emotionally. Equally important, the equity score is high; all students thrive, regardless of their economic or social disadvantage. You can feel great about supporting Whittier and they promote parents to participate in very effective ways.

Whittier Elementary School Housing Market:

The median size of a home to have sold in the last 90 days is a three-bedroom, 1.75-bathroom home with a median price of $855,000 and a median size of 1,561 square feet. Homes in this area typically sell in five-to-six days at list price.  

CLICK HERE to see active listings

Wedgwood Elementary School | Great Schools 9/10  | Class Size 17:1 WONDERFUL SEATTLE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY!

Wedgwood Elementary School, located in the peaceful residential neighborhood of Wedgwood in Seattle, prides itself on its dedicated staff and its use of technology to enhance the learning experience. Furthermore, this school is renowned for its focus on differentiated instruction, meeting the individual learning needs of each student. Students in Wedgwood Elementary show far more academic progress than in many other schools.

The teachers are doing a wonderful job helping these students learn and grow. Test scores are far above average! All students succeed as well. Underserved or low-income students also show similar test scores and progress as the middle-class students, showing the teaching staff invests in each student equitably. With class sizes of only 17:1, Wedgwood boasts small class sizes that compare more directly to private school numbers. 

Wedgwood Elementary School Housing Market:

The median size of a home to have sold in the last 90 days is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a median price of $975,000 and a median size of 1,670 square feet. Homes in this area typically sell in seven days for list price. 

CLICK HERE to see active listings

Maple Elementary School | Great Schools 7/10 | Class Size 15:1 HONORARY  MENTION SEATTLE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. 

Based in Beacon Hill, Maple Elementary School showcases an innovative curriculum integrating arts into standard academic instruction. Its location allows students to learn from and engage with the diverse cultures and resources in the neighborhood. Kids in this school are making far more progress from where they were the prior year than average. Students with disadvantages are also thriving at Maple Elementary.

The best schools often have strong ties with the local community. Maple Elementary involves partnerships with local businesses or organizations. furthering involvement in community events, and strong parent-teacher associations. For all these reasons I wanted to include Maple Elementary. 

Maple Elementary School Housing Market:

The median size of a home to have sold in the last 90 days is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a median sold price of $795,000 and a median size of 2,000 square feet. Homes in this area typically sell in eight days for list price. 

CLICK HERE to see recently sold and active listings

The recipe for success at these schools can be distilled into five vital ingredients:

1. Innovative Curriculum: The curriculum at these schools extends beyond traditional academics, incorporating advanced tools, bilingual education, and problem-solving through project-based learning.

2. Community Collaboration: Active partnerships between the schools, parents, and communities generate a sense of belonging and shared commitment that fuels the schools’ success.

3. Educator Excellence: Investment in skilled, passionate educators is common among these top-tier schools. Ongoing professional development keeps teachers at the forefront of educational best practices, enabling them to meet diverse student needs effectively.

4. Nurturing Environment: Creating safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces celebrating diversity significantly contributes to students’ well-being and academic achievement.

5. Access to Resources: Located in neighborhoods with a wealth of resources, these schools offer access to libraries, cultural centers, parks, and more, enriching students’ learning experiences beyond the classroom.

In Summary, Seattle’s top-performing elementary schools are comprehensive education models promoting academic excellence and socio-emotional development. Through strong community ties, quality educators, and a supportive learning environment, they pave the way for the city’s next generation of leaders.

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