Pickering Farm · Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0Issaquah’s public schools outscore 98% of Washington districts
On the state math tests, 71% of Issaquah’s students scored proficient, above the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Issaquah, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.
From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Issaquah’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 77% and math 71% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,047 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Three elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Joseph School-- Issaquah and Snoqualmie (private), Bright Horizons at the Highlands (private), Synergy Learning Academy (private), Dartmoor School (private) and Gilman Montessori Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Issaquah’s grade
A+: better than 98% of Washington school districts, #3 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Washington average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Issaquah, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Issaquah · depends on your address
Holly Street Early Learning Center
Grades PK · 89 students · 30:1 students per teacher
Issaquah Preschool Academy
Grades PK · 42 students
Kindergarten in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 646 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clark Elementary
Grades K–5 · 586 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Grand Ridge Elementary
Grades K–5 · 558 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 646 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clark Elementary
Grades K–5 · 586 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Grand Ridge Elementary
Grades K–5 · 558 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 646 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clark Elementary
Grades K–5 · 586 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Grand Ridge Elementary
Grades K–5 · 558 students · 17:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 646 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clark Elementary
Grades K–5 · 586 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Grand Ridge Elementary
Grades K–5 · 558 students · 17:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 646 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clark Elementary
Grades K–5 · 586 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Grand Ridge Elementary
Grades K–5 · 558 students · 17:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Valley Elementary
Grades K–5 · 646 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clark Elementary
Grades K–5 · 586 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Grand Ridge Elementary
Grades K–5 · 558 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 808 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Cougar Mountain Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 616 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 808 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Cougar Mountain Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 616 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 808 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Cougar Mountain Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 616 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,419 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Gibson Ek High School
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,419 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Gibson Ek High School
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,419 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Gibson Ek High School
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Issaquah · depends on your address
Issaquah High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,419 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Gibson Ek High School
Grades 9–12 · 198 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Issaquah’s public schools are run by Issaquah School District, which also serves Newcastle and Sammamish. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Issaquah vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Issaquah’s borders.
Every school in Issaquah
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Issaquah’s schools
Are Issaquah’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Issaquah children attend outscore 98% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #3 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Issaquah in?
Issaquah School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,098 students in 30 schools (2024–25).
Where do Issaquah kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Issaquah High School and Gibson Ek High School.
What is Issaquah’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Issaquah School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Issaquah spend per student?
$18,047 in Issaquah School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Issaquah?
Yes: St. Joseph School-- Issaquah and Snoqualmie (Catholic, grades PK–7, 200 students), Bright Horizons at the Highlands (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 96 students), Synergy Learning Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 90 students), Dartmoor School (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 78 students) and Gilman Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK, 68 students).
Parents talk
What Issaquah families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Issaquah → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.