The Greater Seattle area is made up of eleven school districts with over 25 public and private high schools educating thousands of students each year. Whether parochial, public or private, Seattle area schools offer a variety of curriculum options. While many of the area schools are quite good, several high schools stand out from the rest.
According to the US News and World Report magazine, in 2009 Bellevue High was ranked as one of the nation's top 100 high schools. Bellevue students, who have an on time graduation rate of 96 percent, consistently go on to attend some of the nation's top universities including Stanford, Harvard and Princeton. Bellevue's academic program combines small classes with experienced teachers (80 percent of Bellevue teachers have six or more years teaching experience), a variety of advanced placement courses (50 AP courses covering 26 AP subjects) and a range of extra-curricular activities and sports.
Bellevue High School
10416 Wolverine Way
Bellevue, WA 98004
425-456-7000
schools.bsd405.org/bhs/homepage
Garfield High emphasizes preparing its students for college and beyond. In 2008 and 2009, the US News and World Report chose Garfield High as being one of the top college preparatory schools in the nation. Garfield's success is based on a number of factors, including its highly talented faculty (over half of Garfield's teachers hold advanced degrees), small classes, variety of courses, including Chinese, Japanese and Latin, as well as its diverse student body. Garfield High's success has lead to more National Merit Scholar finalists coming from Garfield High than any other public school in Washington State.
Garfield High School
400 23rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
206-252-2270
ghs.seattleschools.org
In addition to being well known as Microsoft founder Bill Gates' alma mater, Lakeside School is also known in the area for its rigorous academic standards, resulting in 100 percent of it graduates in 2005 going onto a four-year college, as well as a consistent 40 to 50 percent of its seniors being recognized as National Merit Scholars. The required curriculum includes four years of English, three years of history, math and a foreign language, two and a half years of science, and two years of art and physical education. In addition to the required curriculum, students must also complete 80 hours of community service. Students are free to choose from a range of selective academic courses and with average class sizes limited to 16, students get plenty of individual attention.
Lakeside School
14050 First Avenue N.E.
Seattle, WA 98125
206-368-3600
lakesideschool.org
