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King County

Washington · Public K-12

On the public-school side, King County (Washington) totals 544 K-12 campuses and roughly 278,492 students. Median household income is around $124,746. The level mix is 309 elementary, 80 middle, and 114 high schools.

7-year change in King County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
278,470
-8,706 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
508
+10 (+2%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
36%
was 44%
% Hispanic
20%
was 18%
% Black
9%
was 9%
% Asian
22%
was 18%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
2,287,171
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
544
31 districts
Enrollment
278,492
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$124,746
Above Washington avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.9%
Below Washington avg
Elementary
309
126,113 students
Middle
80
57,323 students
High
114
90,733 students
Combined / other
41
4,323 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Seattle School District No. 1
50,773 students · 31 districts in King County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of King County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
55%
Hispanic
11%
Black
7%
Asian
21%
Two or more
12%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
1%
School enrollment
White
36%
Hispanic
20%
Black
9%
Asian
22%
Two or more
10%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
2%
Bachelor's+
56.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
5.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.8%
civilian labor
Median age
37
19.5% under 18

Test scores in King County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 409 schools ranked. Washington state average: 58.4%.

See all 409 schools in King County ranked by score →

All schools (544)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Thornton Creek Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05402·
Woodmont K-8 SchoolDes MoinesElementaryKG-08402·
Ella Baker Elementary SchoolRedmondElementaryKG-05401·
Lakeridge Elementary SchoolMercer IslandElementaryKG-05401·
Maple Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05401·
Gatewood Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05400·
Raisbeck Aviation High SchoolTukwilaHigh09-12400·
Shorewood ElementaryBurienElementaryPK-05400·
Cedarhurst ElementaryBurienElementaryPK-05399·
Emerson Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05398·
Northwood Elementary SchoolMercer IslandElementaryPK-05398·
Kenmore ElementaryKenmoreElementaryPK-05396·
Panther Lake Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05396·
Maplewood Heights Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryKG-05395·
B F Day Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05394·
Juanita ElementaryKirklandElementaryPK-05394·
Hawthorne Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05393·
Renton Park Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryKG-05393·
Lowell Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05392·
Carl Sandburg ElementaryKirklandElementaryPK-05391·
Cascade Ridge ElementarySammamishElementaryKG-05391·
Lake Grove Elementary SchoolFederal WayElementaryPK-05390·
Meridian Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05390·
Parkwood ElementaryShorelineElementaryKG-05390·
Carnation Elementary SchoolCarnationElementaryPK-05388·
Horace Mann ElementaryRedmondElementaryKG-05387·
Crestwood Elementary SchoolCovingtonElementaryPK-05386·
Highlands Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryKG-05386·
Thorndyke ElementarySeattleElementaryPK-05386·
Impact | Salish Sea ElementarySeattleElementaryKG-05385·
Kimball Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05384·
East Hill Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05383·
Silver Lake Elementary SchoolFederal WayElementaryPK-05382·
Sunrise ElementaryEnumclawElementaryKG-05382·
Wellington ElementaryWoodinvilleElementaryKG-05380·
Tiffany Park Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryKG-05379·
Lake Forest Park ElementaryLake Forest ParkElementaryKG-05378·
West Seattle Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05376·
Cascade Parent Partnership ProgramSeattleCombinedKG-12375·
Cedar Trails ElementarySammamishElementaryKG-05374·
Brookside ElementaryLake Forest ParkElementaryKG-05372·
Twin Lakes Elementary SchoolFederal WayElementaryPK-05371·
Individualized Graduation & Degree ProgramKentHigh09-12370·
Internet AcademyFederal WayCombinedPK-12370·
Arthur Jacobsen ElementaryAuburnElementaryPK-05367·
Green Lake Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05367·
Brigadoon Elementary SchoolFederal WayElementaryPK-05366·
Island Park ElementaryMercer IslandElementaryKG-05364·
Rainier PrepSeattleMiddle05-08359·
Southwood Elementary SchoolEnumclawElementaryKG-05358·
Fairmount Park Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05357·
Fairwood Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryPK-05355·
McMurray Middle SchoolVashonMiddle06-08355·
West Woodland Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05355·
Challenger ElementaryIssaquahElementaryKG-05350·
Springbrook Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05350·
Beacon Hill International SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05348·
Federal Way Public School ECEAPFederal WayElementaryPK-PK348·
Bellevue Big Picture SchoolBellevueHigh06-12346·
Whittier Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05346·
Campbell Hill Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05345·
North Beach Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05344·
Olympic View Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05341·
Dearborn Park International SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05340·
Jenkins Creek Elementary SchoolCovingtonElementaryPK-05340·
Greenwood Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05339·
Daniel Bagley Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05337·
Grass Lake Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05337·
Wing Luke Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05334·
Wedgwood Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05333·
Arrowhead ElementaryKenmoreElementaryPK-05332·
Hollywood Hill ElementaryWoodinvilleElementaryPK-05331·
Sherwood Forest Elementary SchoolFederal WayElementaryPK-05325·
Carriage Crest Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryPK-05324·
Rising Star Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05324·
Sierra Heights Elementary SchoolRentonElementaryKG-05323·
Highland Terrace ElementaryShorelineElementaryKG-05322·
Sunrise ElementaryRedmondElementaryPK-05322·
Adelaide Elementary SchoolFederal WayElementaryPK-05321·
John Muir ElementaryKirklandElementaryPK-05321·
Magnolia Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05320·
Cedar Valley Elementary SchoolCovingtonElementaryPK-05318·
Edwin Pratt Learning CenterShorelineElementaryPK-PK318·
Emerald Park Elementary SchoolKentElementaryKG-05318·
Madrona ElementarySeatacElementaryPK-05317·
Laura Ingalls Wilder ElementaryWoodinvilleElementaryPK-05315·
Federal Way Public AcademyFederal WayMiddle06-10309·
Lawton Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05309·
John Muir Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryKG-05308·
Pine Tree Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05305·
Sawyer Woods Elementary SchoolBlack DiamondElementaryPK-05303·
Helen Keller ElementaryKirklandElementaryKG-05300·
Highland Park Elementary SchoolSeattleElementaryPK-05300·
Glenridge ElementaryKentElementaryPK-05298·
YouthSource and RTCRentonHigh11-12296·
Emily Dickinson ElementaryRedmondElementaryKG-05294·
Camelot Elementary SchoolAuburnElementaryPK-05292·
George T. Daniel Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05292·
Kent Laboratory AcademyKentCombined03-12291·
Soos Creek Elementary SchoolKentElementaryPK-05290·

Cities in King County

Seattle94 schoolsSeattle42 schoolsKent33 schoolsRenton33 schoolsBellevue30 schoolsAuburn27 schoolsKirkland27 schoolsRedmond24 schoolsFederal Way20 schoolsShoreline16 schoolsBurien13 schoolsFederal Way13 schoolsWoodinville12 schoolsSammamish10 schoolsDes Moines9 schoolsEnumclaw9 schoolsIssaquah9 schoolsAuburn8 schoolsBothell8 schoolsCovington8 schoolsMaple Valley8 schoolsSeatac8 schoolsCarnation6 schoolsIssaquah6 schoolsMercer Island6 schoolsRenton6 schoolsSnoqualmie6 schoolsKenmore5 schoolsTukwila5 schoolsSammamish4 schoolsSnoqualmie4 schoolsVashon4 schoolsBellevue3 schoolsDuvall3 schoolsKent3 schoolsNewcastle3 schoolsBlack Diamond2 schoolsFall City2 schoolsLake Forest Park2 schoolsNorth Bend2 schoolsSkykomish2 schoolsDes Moines1 schoolMedina1 schoolNormandy Park1 schoolNorth Bend1 schoolPacific1 schoolRavensdale1 schoolRedmond1 schoolTukwila1 schoolVashon1 school

About King County

King County is a broad county of about 2,287,171 residents in Washington. Its public-school system educates approximately 278,492 students across 544 schools.

Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $124,746 a year, 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 5%. That income level is 58% above the Washington median.

Looking at the level breakdown, King County covers 309 elementary schools (126,113 students), 80 middle schools (57,323), 114 high schools (90,733), and 41 combined or other schools.

Seattle School District No. 1 dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 50,773 students on its own.

Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in King County has contracted 3% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 287,176 students to 278,470. The school count climbed from 498 to 508 across the same 7-year window. Demographically, the White share of enrollment decreased from 44% to 36%.

On this page, the community for King County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve King County?
There are 544 public K-12 schools in King County, Washington, with a combined enrollment of about 278,492.
How many high schools are in King County?
King County, Washington has 114 public high schools, serving approximately 90,733 students.
How many middle schools are in King County?
King County, Washington has 80 public middle schools, serving approximately 57,323 students.
How many elementary schools are in King County?
King County, Washington has 309 public elementary schools, serving approximately 126,113 students.
What is the largest school district in King County?
Seattle School District No. 1 is the largest school district in King County, serving approximately 50,773 students. The county contains 31 school districts overall.
What is the population of King County?
King County, Washington has a population of approximately 2,287,171, with a median age of 37. About 19.5% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in King County?
Median household income in King County is $124,746, above the Washington average of $79,106. About 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of King County?
Approximately 56.7% of adults 25 and older in King County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in King County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 37.9% of students in King County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Washington county average of 53.8%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in King County schools?
Across King County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 19.1 to 1.

King County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data