Good Schools in Seattle (Tacoma, Bellevue: magnet school, to live in, area)

[creemepuff]

I'm a mother who has just moved into the Seattle area of Washington, and when I say "just" I mean my two sons and I have been here for only one week. We are currently staying with my sister.

To cut to the chase, my two other daughters will be joining us in the summer, one will be in grade 10, the other grade 12. We used to live in Canada, and they currently attend an excellent school in the province of Quebec. It is, in fact, the number one public school in the province - and being the over-achievers that they are, they refuse to follow me to Seattle unless they can attend a high school of equivalent "position".

Having four children and being a single mother, I do not wish to send them to an expensive private school - so what I am looking for is a good PUBLIC school (and I mean very good...) in the Seattle area. Thank you in advance!

[CityGirl72]

Seattle school district is divided into clusters - depending on where you live will be what cluster of schools you can choose from.

I won't lie to you - there's not many "good schools" in Seattle district

Where are you? have you looked through www.seattleschools.org?

There is a way to get to a different school out of your cluster but it takes a bit of luck.

[secret_squirrel]

Does it have to be in the Seattle city limits?

The school that closest matches what you are describing, in my opinion, would be the International Baccalaureate Program at Interlake High School in the Bellevue School District.

District website: http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=101
School website:http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=120
IB Program website: http://www.ibbellevue.org/ibinterlake.htm (broken link)

I don't think you'll find another public school program with higher academic standards or superior reputation.

In Seattle, Garfield High School is the magnet school for the district AP program.
And depending on where you live in the city, you may have access to the John Stanford International School: http://www.jsisweb.com/jsis/index.asp

But is a highly sought after program with long waiting lists.

[creemepuff]

Wow, many thanks for the replies. My sister lives in the Tacoma district...but of course there is always the possibility of finding a place outside of this area.

IB and AP programs would be excellent for my daughters. I will look into these schools.

Thanks again!