Charles Wright Academy Photo - ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Our graduating seniors consistently place in the top 10% of Washington state students and matriculate to top colleges and universities. A strong college counseling program, academic challenge, access to advanced work, a developmentally appropriate progression of skills, and a commitment to service-learning ensure our students are prepared to navigate the future with confidence.

Best Washington Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 787 private schools serving 120,257 students in Washington (there are 2,555 public schools, serving 1,096,728 students). 10% of all K-12 students in Washington attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $15,457 for elementary schools and $17,416 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Washington include Holy Names Academy, Charles Wright Academy, and Annie Wright Schools.
The average acceptance rate is 82% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 31% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
48% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Catholic.

Overview

This State (WA)
US
# Schools
787 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
120,257 Students
5,699,501 Students
% Average Students of Color
31%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
10,030 Teachers
507,930 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
58%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
10 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1265
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$15,674
$14,880
Average Summer Program Cost
$828
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
28%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$9,028
$7,139
Average Acceptance Rate
82%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$41.61 million
$61.68 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.64
0.65
# American Indian Students
1,228 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
9,040 Students
265,082 Students
% Asian Students
8%
5%
# Hispanic Students
6,307 Students
507,339 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
3,815 Students
416,670 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
59,141 Students
2,933,350 Students
% White Students
50%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
651 Students
20,067 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
38,588 Students
1,471,873 Students
% of Others Students
32%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked Washington Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
1
3
<1%
1
140
4%
13
2,098
5%
9
1,273
9%
6
586
5%
45
6,490
8%
8
560
3%
1
32
3%
7
1,006
5%
7
587
3%
10
658
7%
3
240
9%
341
56,772
17%
31
2,540
7%
3
160
3%
3
156
3%
4
504
4%
2
97
4%
3
154
2%
8
657
5%
1
7
<1%
59
11,610
7%
6
297
14%
11
1,166
6%
63
7,559
6%
59
13,378
15%
3
138
2%
25
2,587
6%
8
981
10%
22
4,906
15%
2
195
4%
18
2,533
5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Washington?
The top-ranked private schools in Washington include Holy Names Academy, Charles Wright Academy, and Annie Wright Schools.
How many private schools are located in Washington?
There are 787 private schools are located in Washington.
How much do private schools cost in Washington?
The average private school tuition in Washington is $15,457 for elementary schools and $17,416 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Washington?
Approximately 31% of students in Washington private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Washington go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Washington attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Washington?
48% of private schools in Washington are religiously affiliated, with most being Christian or Catholic.
Which private schools in Washington are often viewed compared to one another?

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