Photo: Junnell at English Wikipedia · Public domainKent’s public schools score below 54% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Kent, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Kent’s districts is 35%, below the Washington average (40%). 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 93% 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.
Kent’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,051 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
18 elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sunshine Mountain Christian School (private), Cascade Vista Baptist School (private), Sunbeams Lutheran School (private), Montessori Plus School (private) and Basic Steps Academy (private) are in town. Individualized Graduation & Degree Program, Kent Laboratory Academy and Kent Virtual Academy, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Kent’s grade
B−: better than 46% of Washington school districts, #182 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kent, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Mill Creek Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 866 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Canyon Ridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 821 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Meridian Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 647 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Mill Creek Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 866 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Canyon Ridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 821 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Meridian Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 647 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Mill Creek Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 866 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Canyon Ridge Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 821 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Meridian Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 647 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Kentridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,186 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kent-Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,639 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Kentridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,186 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kent-Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,639 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Kentridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,186 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kent-Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,639 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Kent · depends on your address
Kentridge High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,186 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Kent-Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,639 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Kent’s public schools are run by Kent School District, which also serves Covington. Parts of Kent (8% and 3% of its land) are served by Federal Way and Renton instead. 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.
Below the state in reading
Kent vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Kent’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | B− | Kent |
| Tukwila | C+ | Tukwila PK–12 · Renton PK–12 |
| SeaTac | C− | Highline |
| Des Moines | C− | Highline PK–12 · Federal Way PK–12 |
| Covington | B− | Kent |
| Auburn | B− | Auburn |
| Renton | C+ | Renton |
| Maple Valley | A | Tahoma |
Every school in Kent
35 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).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Dynamic Family Services, Regional Justice Center and Birth to Age 2).
Questions about Kent’s schools
Are Kent’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Kent children attend score below 54% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #182 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 45%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kent in?
Kent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 25,358 students in 44 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Kent are served by Federal Way and Renton.
Where do Kent kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Kentridge High School and Kent-Meridian High School.
What is Kent’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Kent School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Kent spend per student?
$20,051 in Kent School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Kent?
Yes: Sunshine Mountain Christian School (religious, grades PK–K, 158 students), Cascade Vista Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 130 students), Sunbeams Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–5, 82 students), Montessori Plus School (religious, grades PK–K, 24 students) and Basic Steps Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–1, 6 students).
Parents talk
What Kent families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kent → 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.