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C−
Schools in SeaTac · Highline School District

SeaTac’s public schools score below 79% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

24% of students in SeaTac’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving SeaTac, 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.

#259of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 88% 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.

Reading proficiency
37%
▼ 16 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
24%
▼ 16 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$21.3K
▲ 15% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.1
WA 17.7
Schools in town
10
3,617 students on the public path
In brief

SeaTac’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 267 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of SeaTac’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 88% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $21,280 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Seattle Christian Schools (private) and Hope Christian Academy (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind SeaTac’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 21% of Washington school districts, #259 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 21%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (267)Better than 13%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 8,370 test results and a graduating class of 1,496 could put SeaTac anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 88% of SeaTac’s students in the tested grades sat them (8,350 in math, 8,389 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve SeaTac, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–12Tyee High SchoolHighline School DistrictNo scores

SeaTac’s public schools are run by Highline School District, which also serves Burien, Des Moines and Normandy Park. Parts of SeaTac (3% of its land) are served by 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.

Highline School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 36 schools · 18,072 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 18.1 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$21,280WA $18,444 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading37%
State average 53.4% · 8389 students tested
Math24%
State average 40.1% · 8350 students tested

SeaTac vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share SeaTac’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SeaTacC−Highline
TukwilaC+Tukwila PK–12 · Renton PK–12
KentB−Kent
BurienC−Highline
Des MoinesC−Highline PK–12 · Federal Way PK–12

2 of the 4 neighbors share Highline with SeaTac, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in SeaTac

10 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).

District schools in SeaTacby address
Bow Lake Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
524 students16:1Rate it →
McMicken Heights Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
484 students15:1Rate it →
Madrona Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
317 students16:1Rate it →
Valley View Early Childhood Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
225 studentsRate it →
Glacier Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
803 students23:1Rate it →
Chinook Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
620 students17:1Rate it →
Tyee High School
High · Grades 9–12
644 students19:1Rate it →
Other public schools in SeaTacrun by other districts or the state
River Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
697 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Seattle Christian Schools
Grades K–12 · Seatac
Private · Religious
606 students13:1Rate it →
Hope Christian Academy
Grades K–10 · Seatac
Private · Religious
14 students3:1Rate it →

Questions about SeaTac’s schools

Are SeaTac’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools SeaTac children attend score below 79% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #259 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is SeaTac in?

Highline School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 18,072 students in 36 schools (2024–25). Small parts of SeaTac are served by Kent.

Where do SeaTac kids go to high school?

Tyee High School, with 644 students.

What is SeaTac’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Highline School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does SeaTac spend per student?

$21,280 in Highline School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in SeaTac?

Yes: Seattle Christian Schools (religious, grades K–12, 606 students) and Hope Christian Academy (religious, grades K–10, 14 students).

Parents talk

What SeaTac families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near SeaTac → 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.