#1Mercer Island
King County · 25,422 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A · #6 of 285 in WA
Mercer Island, #1 on this list · Photo: Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0Washington rankings · Schools
Towns with the best schools in Washington
Mercer Island ranks first on schools among Washington’s 285 towns of 2,500+; 89 of the 285 grade A− or better (schools are graded within each state).
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). How grades work
#1A+
#2Bainbridge Island
Kitsap County · 24,691 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A · #8 of 285 in WA
East Renton Highlands
unincorporated, King County · 12,582 peopleSchools grade, graded within the state·Overall A− · #21 of 285 in WA
All 285 towns
Schools grade, best first (graded within Washington). Towns with the same score share a rank (T = tied; 267 towns here); the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
285 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
T3East Renton Highlandsunincorporated, King County · 12,582 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall A− · #21 of 285
T3Mirrormontunincorporated, King County · 4,019 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall A− · #32 of 285
T3Union Hill-Novelty Hillunincorporated, King County · 23,047 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall A · #15 of 285
T14Bothell Eastunincorporated, Snohomish County · 14,578 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall A · #5 of 285
T14Cottage Lakeunincorporated, King County · 22,518 peopleA+graded within the state·Overall A · #19 of 285
T21Clearviewunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,254 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #14 of 285
T21Maltbyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 10,910 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #18 of 285
T25Hockinsonunincorporated, Clark County · 6,150 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #41 of 285
T25Mill Creek Eastunincorporated, Snohomish County · 25,453 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #10 of 285
T29Lake Tappsunincorporated, Pierce County · 12,798 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #69 of 285
T36Aldertonunincorporated, Pierce County · 2,706 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B− · #113 of 285
T36Artondaleunincorporated, Pierce County · 14,073 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #54 of 285
T36Canterwoodunincorporated, Pierce County · 2,971 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #70 of 285
T36Fox Islandunincorporated, Pierce County · 3,414 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #65 of 285
T36Key Centerunincorporated, Pierce County · 3,544 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B− · #139 of 285
T36Longbranchunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,638 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall C · #203 of 285
T36Maplewoodunincorporated, Pierce County · 5,803 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B · #73 of 285
T36Rosedaleunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,208 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #68 of 285
T36Waunaunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,805 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #60 of 285
T36Wollochetunincorporated, Pierce County · 6,689 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #16 of 285
T51Bothell Westunincorporated, Snohomish County · 22,029 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #13 of 285
T51Country Homesunincorporated, Spokane County · 6,198 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B+ · #43 of 285
T51Fairwoodunincorporated, Spokane County · 10,674 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A · #20 of 285
T51Prairie Ridgeunincorporated, Pierce County · 12,074 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall B · #77 of 285
T58Fairchild AFBunincorporated, Spokane County · 2,931 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A− · #27 of 285
T60Eastmontunincorporated, Snohomish County · 23,721 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A− · #37 of 285
T60Silver Firsunincorporated, Snohomish County · 22,306 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall A− · #22 of 285
T60Suncrestunincorporated, Stevens County · 5,345 peopleAgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #150 of 285
T64Fobes Hillunincorporated, Snohomish County · 2,569 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B+ · #50 of 285
T64Prairie Heightsunincorporated, Pierce County · 4,998 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B · #79 of 285
T64Tehalehunincorporated, Pierce County · 9,561 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B · #84 of 285
T64Three Lakesunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,055 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B · #96 of 285
T71Bunk Fossunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,627 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B− · #112 of 285
T77Boulevard Parkunincorporated, King County · 4,575 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B− · #142 of 285
T77Chain Lakeunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,950 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall A− · #34 of 285
T83Hansvilleunincorporated, Kitsap County · 3,384 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B− · #116 of 285
T83Indianolaunincorporated, Kitsap County · 3,468 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B+ · #58 of 285
T83Suquamishunincorporated, Kitsap County · 4,084 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B · #80 of 285
T87Bangor Baseunincorporated, Kitsap County · 6,112 peopleA−graded within the state·Overall B · #91 of 285
T90Ahtanumunincorporated, Yakima County · 3,777 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C · #190 of 285
T90Chicounincorporated, Kitsap County · 3,336 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall A− · #29 of 285
T90Silverdaleunincorporated, Kitsap County · 20,685 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #78 of 285
T90Town and Countryunincorporated, Spokane County · 4,890 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall A− · #35 of 285
T90Tracytonunincorporated, Kitsap County · 6,137 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B+ · #42 of 285
T95Terrace Heightsunincorporated, Yakima County · 10,041 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B− · #134 of 285
T99South Hillunincorporated, Pierce County · 68,025 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #85 of 285
T99Wallerunincorporated, Pierce County · 7,683 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #105 of 285
T104Camanounincorporated, Island County · 17,303 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B− · #141 of 285
T104Warm Beachunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,442 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #155 of 285
T107Port Angeles Eastunincorporated, Clallam County · 3,137 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #71 of 285
T114Bethelunincorporated, Kitsap County · 4,394 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #83 of 285
T114East Port Orchardunincorporated, Kitsap County · 4,725 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #147 of 285
T114Manchesterunincorporated, Kitsap County · 5,956 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B+ · #62 of 285
T114Parkwoodunincorporated, Kitsap County · 6,873 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #88 of 285
T122Maple Heights-Lake Desireunincorporated, King County · 4,113 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B− · #124 of 285
T122Marietta-Alderwoodunincorporated, Whatcom County · 3,754 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C · #179 of 285
T122Sudden Valleyunincorporated, Whatcom County · 6,084 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #169 of 285
T122Tanglewildeunincorporated, Thurston County · 6,314 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B− · #119 of 285
T129Alderwood Manorunincorporated, Snohomish County · 10,266 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B+ · #67 of 285
T129Esperanceunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,189 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B+ · #44 of 285
T129Larch Wayunincorporated, Snohomish County · 4,424 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall A− · #30 of 285
T129Meadowdaleunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,009 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall A− · #26 of 285
T129Mountlake TerraceSnohomish County · 25,430 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B · #100 of 285
T129North Lynnwoodunincorporated, Snohomish County · 23,339 peopleB+graded within the state·Overall B+ · #61 of 285
T139High Bridgeunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,196 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall B− · #108 of 285
145Summitunincorporated, Pierce County · 8,791 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall B− · #138 of 285
T146Gleedunincorporated, Yakima County · 2,844 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C− · #217 of 285
T146Martha Lakeunincorporated, Snohomish County · 22,634 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall B · #82 of 285
T150Woods Creekunincorporated, Snohomish County · 6,943 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #165 of 285
T152Lake Cassidyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,292 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall B · #89 of 285
T154Arlington Heightsunincorporated, Snohomish County · 2,727 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C · #188 of 285
T154Bryantunincorporated, Snohomish County · 2,648 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #160 of 285
T154Grand Moundunincorporated, Thurston County · 3,287 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C · #189 of 285
T154Rochesterunincorporated, Thurston County · 5,834 peopleBgraded within the state·Overall C− · #209 of 285
T160Barbertonunincorporated, Clark County · 8,668 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B · #94 of 285
T160Brush Prairieunincorporated, Clark County · 2,526 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B · #106 of 285
T160Summit Viewunincorporated, Pierce County · 8,480 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B− · #114 of 285
T160Venersborgunincorporated, Clark County · 4,262 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C · #192 of 285
T169Lake Stickneyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 15,890 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B · #95 of 285
T169Picnic Pointunincorporated, Snohomish County · 10,261 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B · #87 of 285
T174Clarkston Heights-Vinelandunincorporated, Asotin County · 7,884 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C+ · #166 of 285
T174North Yelmunincorporated, Thurston County · 2,522 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C+ · #168 of 285
T174Otis Orchards-East Farmsunincorporated, Spokane County · 5,454 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C+ · #163 of 285
T178College PlaceWalla Walla County · 9,923 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C+ · #171 of 285
T178Lochsloyunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,029 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B− · #129 of 285
T182Fairwoodunincorporated, King County · 17,856 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B− · #127 of 285
T185Birch Bayunincorporated, Whatcom County · 10,837 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall C · #204 of 285
T185Lake Holmunincorporated, King County · 3,555 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B− · #115 of 285
T185Lake Morton-Berrydaleunincorporated, King County · 11,183 peopleB−graded within the state·Overall B− · #137 of 285
T193Bryn Mawr-Skywayunincorporated, King County · 17,638 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #152 of 285
T197Elk Plainunincorporated, Pierce County · 14,276 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C− · #231 of 285
T197Five Cornersunincorporated, Clark County · 21,194 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall B− · #143 of 285
T197Fredericksonunincorporated, Pierce County · 25,383 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C · #178 of 285
T197Grahamunincorporated, Pierce County · 35,079 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C · #194 of 285
T197Lexingtonunincorporated, Cowlitz County · 4,413 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall D · #253 of 285
T197Mount Vistaunincorporated, Clark County · 10,764 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall B− · #120 of 285
T197Orchardsunincorporated, Clark County · 29,438 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #167 of 285
T197Spanawayunincorporated, Pierce County · 34,019 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C · #180 of 285
208Finleyunincorporated, Benton County · 5,634 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C · #176 of 285
T211Sunnyslopeunincorporated, Chelan County · 3,706 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #145 of 285
T213Parklandunincorporated, Pierce County · 38,742 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C− · #216 of 285
T216McChord AFBunincorporated, Pierce County · 2,999 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C− · #218 of 285
T221Felidaunincorporated, Clark County · 10,841 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall B · #101 of 285
T221Hazel Dellunincorporated, Clark County · 23,237 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C · #182 of 285
T221Lake Shoreunincorporated, Clark County · 6,978 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall B− · #111 of 285
T221Minnehahaunincorporated, Clark County · 11,482 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #148 of 285
T221Salmon Creekunincorporated, Clark County · 20,017 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall B− · #110 of 285
T227Longview Heightsunincorporated, Cowlitz County · 4,357 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall D− · #279 of 285
T227Sisco Heightsunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,015 peopleC+graded within the state·Overall C+ · #175 of 285
T232Clover Creekunincorporated, Pierce County · 7,345 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C− · #241 of 285
T232Midlandunincorporated, Pierce County · 9,050 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C · #187 of 285
T234Fort Lewisunincorporated, Pierce County · 15,167 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D · #250 of 285
T234North Fort Lewisunincorporated, Pierce County · 6,337 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C · #206 of 285
T234West Clarkston-Highlandunincorporated, Asotin County · 5,444 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D · #249 of 285
T239Lakeland Southunincorporated, King County · 13,100 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C+ · #162 of 285
T241Lake Goodwinunincorporated, Snohomish County · 5,536 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C · #205 of 285
T241Port Hadlock-Irondaleunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,884 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D · #251 of 285
T241Port Ludlowunincorporated, Jefferson County · 2,891 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall C− · #220 of 285
T247Burbankunincorporated, Walla Walla County · 3,589 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D · #263 of 285
T247Cascade Valleyunincorporated, Grant County · 4,609 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D− · #271 of 285
T247Moses Lake Northunincorporated, Grant County · 4,517 peopleCgraded within the state·Overall D · #269 of 285
T253Lakeland Northunincorporated, King County · 15,950 peopleC−graded within the state·Overall C · #199 of 285
T259Belfairunincorporated, Mason County · 4,557 peopleC−graded within the state·Overall C · #196 of 285
T259White Centerunincorporated, King County · 14,886 peopleC−graded within the state·Overall C · #191 of 285
T269Desert Aireunincorporated, Grant County · 2,788 peopleC−graded within the state·Overall D− · #285 of 285
T269Peaceful Valleyunincorporated, Whatcom County · 2,858 peopleC−graded within the state·Overall D− · #284 of 285
T280Central Parkunincorporated, Grays Harbor County · 3,206 peopleDgraded within the state·Overall C− · #219 of 285
T283Canyon Creekunincorporated, Snohomish County · 3,910 peopleDgraded within the state·Overall D− · #280 of 285
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Washington town has the best schools?
Mercer Island (King County) ranks first on schools among 285 towns, with an A+; Bainbridge Island and East Renton Highlands follow. Schools are compared within Washington, so the letter is a state grade.
How are these towns ranked?
The Schools grade: state test results and graduation rates of the districts serving each town, compared with the state’s other districts (U.S. Department of Education). Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a schools grade (285 in Washington). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Washington page.
Go deeper
All Washington rankings →More Washington lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live285 towns · #1 SammamishBest small towns152 towns · #1 Medical LakeMost affordable towns285 towns · #1 ConnellSafest towns130 towns · #1 DuvallHealthiest towns285 towns · #1 Clyde Hill and Medina and Mercer Island and SammamishBest towns for jobs & income285 towns · #1 Larch WayMost walkable towns285 towns · #1 SeattleTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk285 towns · #1 Fairchild AFBBest towns for the outdoors285 towns · #1 Maple Heights-Lake DesireMost historic towns285 towns · #1 ColvilleTowns with the most civic life152 towns · #1 Friday HarborTowns with the least snow252 towns · #1 RaymondDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns252 towns · #1 LeavenworthDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters265 towns · #1 Ocean ShoresDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers265 towns · #1 ClarkstonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers265 towns · #1 Ocean ShoresDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes285 towns · #1 Clyde Hill and MedinaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes272 towns · #1 MattawaDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns149 towns · #1 RidgefieldDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries20 towns · #1 Port TownsendDescribed, no letters
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