Best Private Schools in Seattle and How They Fit Your Needs

In a recent article published in U.S. News & World Report, Myra McGovern of the National Association of Independent Schools hits the nail on the head regarding making educational decisions. “The individual needs of the child should shape the choice for parents,” says McGovern. 

Indeed, student needs should always come first when considering where to attend school. Fortunately, the Seattle area is home to several options tailor-made for families who are looking for specialized services and/or unique learning environments. The following are a few of the best private schools around.

Best for 1:1 personalized learning: Brightmont Academy

Brightmont Academy is known as the one-to-one school, meaning the student/teacher ratio is exactly that: 1:1. 

Why do families choose Brightmont? In most cases, they have determined that a traditional school environment simply doesn’t work for their children. Students might have anxiety or refuse to go to school, learning differences or attention deficits, and need extra academic attention. They might be gifted or twice-exceptional and need more challenging coursework, or might be busy athletes or performers, and need a lot of flexibility. In other words, there are countless reasons behind choosing Brightmont, and the school’s one-to-one model addresses them all. 

The school is best known for:

• Personalized learning plans - Brightmont’s personalized learning plans not only offer individualized attention but also customized pacing. For those who are academically challenged, pacing is based on mastery; if more time is required to demonstrate true learning, more time is offered. Likewise, if any student shows proficiency, they may move ahead at a faster pace. 
• Flexible scheduling - Families appreciate the flexibility offered by Brightmont. There are both full-time and part-time options, as well as year-round start dates. Campuses are open Monday through Friday in the mornings and afternoons, with some classes and skill-building sessions available in the evenings. 
• Breadth of coursework - Brightmont offers more than 300 core and elective courses, including honors and Advanced Placement®. In addition to all of the required English, Social Studies, Math, and Science courses for grades 1-12, the school’s course catalog features options in World Languages, Business, Art and Music, and much more.
• Tutoring and skill-building - Students who enroll in Brighmont’s tutoring and skill-building programs also benefit from the school’s customized one-to-one model. Mastery remains the goal, and pacing is adjusted accordingly to ensure “maximum learning gains and increased self-confidence.” Offered in 10-session packages, tutoring is handled by teams of subject matter experts. Skill-building programs are available in executive functioning, math, reading, writing, science, and Kindergarten readiness.
• ACT/SAT test prep - As a college preparation school, Brightmont also provides ACT/SAT test prep services. One-to-one instruction, as well as practice tests and other supports, help build student aptitude and self-esteem.

The end result? Ninety percent of students report being more engaged and more successful at Brightmont. On top of that, 92 percent of Brightmont graduates are accepted into their first-choice college. 

Brightmont has three locations in Washington state—Seattle, Redmond, and Sammamish—and is accredited by Cognia Accreditation. 

Best for arts-integrated learning: The Northwest School

For students who have interests and talents in the arts, The Northwest School prides itself on prioritizing arts-integrated learning. The school claims its investment in the arts “is equal to or greater than the other academic disciplines.”

Serving students in grades 6-12, Northwest is a private boarding and day school intent on producing “socially responsible citizens who actively contribute to their community.” This has been the school’s mission since its founding in 1980. Northwest pairs its mission with a vision to:

• "Be a cherished, inclusive educational community where students have the agency and space to discover who they are and what matters most to them.”
• “Engage our students one relationship, one class, one milestone at a time.”
• “Cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and a joy of learning—essential habits of mind for participating in our ever-changing world.”

Northwest’s leaders believe that “the best problem solvers are creative thinkers,” thus the school’s emphasis on arts programming. Offering more than 50 arts-related courses in music, visual arts, dance, and theater, Northwest is ranked #1 in Washington arts schools by Niche, a leading resource for families who are discerning their school and college options.

Best for nature-based learning: Wilderness Awareness School

Located about 45 minutes from Seattle alongside the Cascade Mountains, the Wilderness Awareness School exists to “help children and adults cultivate healthy relationships with nature, community, and self.” For kids, this means offering a wide array of programs during the school year and summer.

Weekly programs include “Roots and Wings” for ages 3-6, “Youth School” for ages 7-13, and “Community School” for ages 13-18. All three programs revolve around the school’s signature “Coyote Mentoring” philosophy. 

Through Coyote Mentoring, “curiosity is strategically ignited, and mentors keep a keen eye on their students, looking for moments of awe and opportunities for passion to grow…” Creative thinking, problem-solving, and self-sufficiency are honed primarily through hands-on experiences, with research and lectures adding color and context to those experiences. 

Monthly programs at Wilderness Awareness School follow the same educational philosophy; ages 14-18 participate in “Wild Within” and spend one entire weekend a month exploring the school’s outdoor campus or other local sites. Summer camps include day camps, overnight camps, and expeditions.

Best for boarding & residential: Annie Wright Schools

Though Tacoma’s Annie Wright Schools are known for a variety of educational options serving ages 3-18, the organization’s boarding and residential arm for high school students is recognized worldwide.

“Boarding at Annie Wright is fun, safe, and educational, and a lot like living in a giant family,” says Jeff Barber, director of Residential Life. “Our community makes up around half of the Upper School population, and our residential faculty—dorm parents—are dedicated to each student's well-being and academic success.”

Annie Wright offers both five-day and seven-day boarding packages. Dorm rooms are located in the campus’s main building, giving students easy access to dining, classrooms, and the library. Student prefects join with dorm parents to plan activities, tours, trips, etc., and to help maintain a positive, caring dorm culture. 

“In the safe and supportive environment of the dorm, [students] quickly learn to manage their own lives, problem solve, and advocate for themselves,” adds Barber. “This leads to advanced personal competence and confidence levels.” 

Annie Wright currently has the capacity to board 132 students. 

Discerning what’s best for your student

Finding the perfect school isn’t always easy, but being honest about a student’s needs is an effective first step. Pair that with some good research on the most logical options—don’t forget to collect referrals, participate in open houses and tours, etc.—and the right decision is bound to become clearer. Is it worth all of the effort? Of course. And are the best schools willing to help with the process? Most definitely. 

Brightmont's campuses across the country have helped students like yours increase their confidence and achieve more. Contact us to transform your child’s education.