What are the best high schools in Washington state? See the top 10 list

Where your child goes to school can make a big difference.

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the best public high schools across the United States — including those in Washington state — based on college readiness, graduation rates and more.

“Students and families need data to help them make one of the most important decisions of their academic journey,” LaMont Jones, U.S. News managing editor for education, said in a news release.

“Our best high schools rankings provide the insights to help them identify schools that will prepare students for college success,” Jones added. “Access to information isn’t just helpful — it’s essential for planning a student’s future.”

Here’s which campuses came out on top in Washington state:

What’s the best public high school in Washington?

Nikola Tesla STEM High School in Redmond was the best high school in Washington state for the 2025-26 school year, according to U.S. News & World Report.

It was No. 1 among high schools in the Seattle metropolitan area, U.S. News said, and took first place for the Lake Washington School District.

The school ranked No. 18 nationwide with an overall score of 99.9 out of 100.

With 601 students in ninth through 12 grade, Tesla STEM High has a student-teacher ratio of 21 to one.

It has a 97.9% graduation rate, with high scores for college readiness and state assessment proficiency.

“Tesla STEM High School nurtures students’ adaptability, intellectual resolve and curiosity to inspire positive change from personal growth to global impact,” officials said on the school’s website. “Our students leave with the tools to excel in college and beyond.”

Where are top 10 high schools in Washington state?

According to U.S. News & World Report, most of Washington state’s top high schools can be found in King County.

These were the top 10 public high schools in the Evergreen State for the 2025-26 school year, U.S. News said:

1. Nikola Tesla Stem High School in Redmond
2. International School in Bellevue
3. Newport Senior High School in Bellevue
4. Raisbeck Aviation High School in Tukwila
5. Lincoln High School in Seattle.
6. Bainbridge High School in Bainbridge Island
7. Interlake High School in Bellevue
8. Mercer Island High School in Mercer Island
9. Vancouver Itech Preparatory in Vancouver
10. Interlake High School in Bellevue

How did U.S. News & World Report rank Washington schools?

U.S. News & World Report said it “looked at thousands of public schools to identify the top performers.”

Working with research firm RTI International, U.S. News ranked nearly 18,000 public high schools out of more than 24,000 reviewed. A total of 328 public high schools in Washington state made the rankings.

U.S. News said researchers took “six indicators of school quality” into consideration when ranking public high schools:

• College readiness
• State assessment proficiency
• State assessment performance
• Underserved student performance
• College curriculum breadth
• Graduation rate

Julia Hawkins

The Bellingham Herald

Julia Hawkins joined The Herald as a service journalism and general assignment reporter in December 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham.