Schools in Seattle....best for Academics and Basketball (Mercer Island, Issaquah: rentals, school district)

[scubashawn68]

We are thinking of moving back to Seattle. We don't know much about the schools there because we didn't have kids before we moved away.
What part of town would you live in, and what high schools would be the best for academics and basketball?
Most likely rent at 1st. And would pay up to $2000/mo.
I know Garfield has a good team, but is it a good school?
Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

[tobester]

Mercer Island has both, but doesn't have $2000 rentals I'd guess.

[Seacove]

Check out Issaquah, their school district is strong including sports. I don't know specifics on basketball though. Issaquah School District

Klahanie would have $2000 rentals I would think.

[scubashawn68]

thanks for the replies so far.....we would only want to live in Seattle, not in any of the burbs.

[Inkpoe]

One thing about Garfield is that it's not that good, but it does have some elite programs (like the AP program for especially gifted kids, the band, et. c) that everyone want their kids to get into. Competition into those programs is pretty heavy. That's what elevates the school status. But if you're just a regular kid-- it probably would be best to go to an all-around good school district for quality education. Garfield HS is a beautiful school.

Have you checked into O'Dea? It's a private school for boys with strong academics and strong sports program.

[Ira500]

I'd say northeast Seattle, somewhere where the HS would be Roosevelt. Always good basketball teams, and really good academics, maybe the best academically for a Seattle HS.
The problem with Garfield is that it's really two schools in one. There's a gifted program there, APP, which is for the top 1%? of students,and that's a good thing for those students, but the rest of the school is pretty bad. Good basketball teams, and an always awesome jazz band. But Roosevelt has both the academics and the basketball.

[aa85]

I graduated from Garfield a few years ago - it is a good school if your student wants to make it a good school. There isn't a formal "gifted" program at Garfield and AP classes are not restricted to certain students - all students have access to the same classes if they have completed the prerequisites (if any) with the appropriate grades (usually a B or better). Probably 30-40% of the Garfield student body is comprised of students who were in the Seattle Public Schools gifted programs in Middle School, but those programs end in 8th grade.

I'm not sure how successful Roosevelt has been in basketball recently, but academically it is well-regarded.

[tobester]

Private option - Seattle Prep - great academics, good basketball program - two players currently in the NBA

[scubashawn68]

Great info from the last 4 posts. I will have to look into Roosevelt's basketball. I know Garfield is one of the best. I will also check out the private schools. Aldo the info coming!

[scubashawn68]

I checked some stats.....Roosevelt's record was not very good. Garfield was ranked 3rd in the state.