Photo: Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0Mercer Island’s public schools outscore almost every Washington district
Math proficiency in Mercer Island’s districts is 80%, above the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Mercer Island, 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 96% 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.
Mercer Island’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 85% and math 80% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,351 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Islander Middle School, then Mercer Island High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
French American School of Puget Sound (private), St. Monica School (private), Yellow Wood Academy (private), Creative Learning Center LLC (private), Privett Academy (private), Early World Montessori (private) and Northwest Yeshiva High School (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 Mercer Island’s grade
A+: better than 100% of Washington school districts, #1 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 Mercer Island, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Mercer Island
Northwood Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 398 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Mercer Island
Islander Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 960 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Mercer Island
Islander Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 960 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Mercer Island
Islander Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 960 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Mercer Island
Mercer Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Mercer Island
Mercer Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Mercer Island
Mercer Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Mercer Island
Mercer Island High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,439 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Mercer Island’s public schools are run by Mercer Island School District. 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
Mercer Island vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Mercer Island’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer Island | A+ | Mercer Island |
| Seattle | A | Seattle |
| Bellevue | A+ | Bellevue |
| Renton | C+ | Renton |
| Medina | A+ | Bellevue |
| Beaux Arts Village | — | Bellevue |
Every school in Mercer Island
13 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 Mercer Island’s schools
Are Mercer Island’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Mercer Island children attend outscore 100% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #1 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mercer Island in?
Mercer Island School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,993 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Mercer Island kids go to high school?
Mercer Island High School, with 1,439 students.
What is Mercer Island’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Mercer Island School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Mercer Island spend per student?
$19,351 in Mercer Island School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Mercer Island?
Yes: French American School of Puget Sound (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 446 students), St. Monica School (Catholic, grades PK–12, 258 students), Yellow Wood Academy (nonsectarian, grades 4–12, 101 students), Creative Learning Center LLC (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 86 students), Privett Academy (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 74 students), Early World Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 72 students) and Northwest Yeshiva High School (religious, grades 9–12, 57 students).
Parents talk
What Mercer Island families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mercer Island → 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.