Woolworth, F.W., Company Store · Photo: Visitor7 · CC BY-SA 3.0Renton’s public schools score below 56% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Renton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Renton, 46% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Washington average (53%). 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 90% 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.
Renton’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 267 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Renton’s, its schools beat 37%, lower than their 44% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 90% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,788 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then two middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Impact | Black River Elementary, Renton Christian School (private), St. Anthony Elementary School (private), Renton Prep Christian School (private), Renton Prep Christian School (private), New Horizon School (private), Children's Institute for Learning Differences (private), Phoenix Montessori (private) and King of Kings Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten (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 Renton’s grade
C+: better than 44% of Washington school districts, #193 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 Renton, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Renton
Meadow Crest Early Childhood Education Center
Grades PK · 490 students · 28:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Nelsen Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 913 students · 22:1 students per teacher
McKnight Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 811 students · 21:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Nelsen Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 913 students · 22:1 students per teacher
McKnight Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 811 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Nelsen Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 913 students · 22:1 students per teacher
McKnight Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 811 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Hazen Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,796 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Renton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,208 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lindbergh Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,201 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Hazen Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,796 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Renton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,208 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lindbergh Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,201 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Hazen Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,796 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Renton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,208 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lindbergh Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,201 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Renton · depends on your address
Hazen Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,796 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Renton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,208 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lindbergh Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,201 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Renton’s public schools are run by Renton School District, which also serves Newcastle and Tukwila. Parts of Renton (5% and 3% of its land) are served by Issaquah and Kent 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 below the state in reading
Renton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Renton’s borders.
Every school in Renton
31 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: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Dropout Prevention and Reengagement Academy, Out Of District Facility, Griffin Home, Renton Academy, Renton Remote School and Renton Technical College).
Questions about Renton’s schools
Are Renton’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Renton children attend score below 56% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #193 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 37%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Renton in?
Renton School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,873 students in 29 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Renton are served by Issaquah and Kent.
Where do Renton kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Hazen Senior High School, Renton Senior High School and Lindbergh Senior High School.
What is Renton’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Renton School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Renton spend per student?
$19,788 in Renton School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Renton?
Yes: Renton Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 722 students), St. Anthony Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 368 students), Renton Prep Christian School (religious, grades PK–10, 240 students), Renton Prep Christian School (religious, grades PK–10, 180 students), New Horizon School (special education, grades 5–12, 49 students), Children's Institute for Learning Differences (special education, grades 1–12, 41 students), Phoenix Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 30 students) and King of Kings Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 26 students). Renton also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Renton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Renton → 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.