Education and Schools in Seattle

Education and schools in Seattle are highly valued, partly due to the concentration of jobs in the technology, engineering and medical sectors, which demand strong educational credentials.

Public schools operate alongside several government-funded schools offering the International Baccalaureate and immersion courses in Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin. Seattle also hosts privately run international schools.

See Education and Schools in the USA for more on the national education system.

Public schools in Seattle

Public schools in Seattle deliver a satisfactory standard of education. Some disparities remain, though. Seattle is somewhat divided along ethnic lines, with more ethnic minorities living in the southern part of the city. School attendance follows zoning rules, which means those in more disadvantaged areas often access only substandard schooling. In wealthier neighbourhoods, public schools offer excellent teaching paired with extensive extracurricular activities.

You’ll need to consider the standard of schools carefully when choosing where to live. Catchment areas determine allocation at public schools, and the system gives priority to students living nearby.

While public education doesn’t require tuition, you must budget for additional costs such as school supplies, field trips, sports fees and extracurricular activities.

Charter schools

Charter schools are public schools governed by a non-profit board, giving them more flexibility with curricula and teaching methods than regular public schools. Seattle currently has fewer than ten charter schools. Enrolment happens through a lottery open to anyone living within the school district.

Accommodation in Seattle

Useful links

• Seattle Public Schools (SPS)
• Seattle Public Schools District Ombudsman
• Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Private and international schools in Seattle

You’ll have the option of sending your children to a private school in Seattle. Many private schools have a religious affiliation. Seattle boasts numerous good private schools that provide high teaching standards and a greater scope for talented students to excel. Private schools tend to offer a broader range of extracurricular activities than most public schools.

Some private schools offer dual language immersion programmes or the International Baccalaureate curriculum. The major difference between public and private international schools is, of course, the cost.

If you’re considering this option, you must budget significantly more for education fees. Scholarships and bursaries are generally available, although international students may not be eligible. Most private schools don’t offer any specialised support for second-language English speakers. If you require this, it’s often best to consider one of Seattle’s public international schools with language immersion programmes.

The most popular private schools in Seattle are oversubscribed. Apply well in advance, ideally before moving to the city.

Special educational needs in Seattle

The city’s education system is well equipped to support students with learning and developmental disabilities when it comes to special educational needs in Seattle. Multiple federal laws ensure that children with disabilities have fair access to quality education at no cost, regardless of state.

Both public and private schools usually have special programmes in place to support students with learning difficulties. In cases where a learner’s disability is too severe to benefit from mainstream education, special education facilities can offer students a tailored programme to meet their specific requirements.

Useful links

• SPS Special Education
• The Arc of Washington State
• PAVE (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment)
• Washington State Office of Education Ombudsman (OEO)

Tutors in Seattle

Whether your child has fallen behind in mathematics or needs additional support to excel in college entrance exams, tutors in Seattle are plentiful.

Start by asking your child’s school or other parents in the area for a recommendation. Alternatively, you could use the services of established tutoring companies. These companies offer various packages, from subject-specific intensive programmes to one-on-one home tuition, small group sessions and online tutoring.

Enlisting a private tutor is an excellent opportunity for students to address any gaps in their knowledge, excel at a particular subject, or simply build confidence in their new environment.

Useful links

• Wyzant Seattle
• Care.com Seattle
• Varsity Tutors Seattle
• Sylvan Learning of Seattle

Tertiary education in Seattle

Tertiary education in Seattle offers excellent opportunities if you’re looking to pursue higher education. The city is home to the University of Washington, one of the USA's top universities and the largest on the West Coast by student population, well respected in academic circles.

Apart from the University of Washington, other options include Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University and City University of Seattle. Smaller educational institutions scattered throughout the city focus on specific areas, such as business or fine arts.

Useful links

• University of Washington
• Seattle University
• Seattle Pacific University
• City University of Seattle