Photo: OceanLoop · CC BY-SA 4.0Olympia’s public schools outscore 88% of Washington districts
52% of students in Olympia’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Olympia, 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 91% 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.
Olympia’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 269 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Olympia’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 65% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,405 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then five middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Michael Parish School (private), Evergreen Christian School (private), Nova School (private), Capital Montessori School (private), Olympia Christian School (private) and Olympia Community 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 Olympia’s grade
A: better than 88% of Washington school districts, #36 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 Olympia, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Olympia · depends on your address
Olympia High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,901 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,322 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Touchstone
Grades 6–12 · 2 students · 2:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Olympia · depends on your address
Olympia High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,901 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,322 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Touchstone
Grades 6–12 · 2 students · 2:1 students per teacher
Olympia’s public schools are run by Olympia School District. Parts of Olympia (11% of its land) are served by North Thurston 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.
Well above the state in reading
Olympia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Olympia’s borders.
Every school in Olympia
22 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 Olympia’s schools
Are Olympia’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Olympia children attend outscore 88% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #36 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Olympia in?
Olympia School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,386 students in 20 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Olympia are served by North Thurston.
Where do Olympia kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Olympia High School, Capital High School and Touchstone.
What is Olympia’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Olympia School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Olympia spend per student?
$17,405 in Olympia School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Olympia?
Yes: St. Michael Parish School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 352 students), Evergreen Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 270 students), Nova School (nonsectarian, grades 6–8, 101 students), Capital Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 56 students), Olympia Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 51 students) and Olympia Community School (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 41 students).
Parents talk
What Olympia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Olympia → 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.