The Northwest School

United States, Seattle

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The school at a glance

Instructs in English

Fees Fees not listed

Ages 11 - 18 years

Pupil numbers 453

Type Co-educational, Boarding

Opened 1980

Bus Service No

Academic offering

Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum

Typical class size 16

Strengths #1 Arts school in WA, 50+ arts courses, Day and boarding, 7:1 ratio, 44% Students of Color

Clubs Arts, Athletics, Clubs

Stages Middle School, High School

Introduction

The Northwest School is an independent day and boarding school in Seattle, Washington, serving grades 6-12 with 419 students including 43 boarders from international backgrounds. Ranked #1 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington, the school offers 50+ arts courses with a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and 82% of faculty holding advanced degrees.

1415 Summit Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122, on Capitol Hill.

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The Essentials

Location

The Northwest School is at 1415 Summit Avenue on Capitol Hill in Seattle, WA 98122.

Stages

The school serves grades 6-12 with middle and upper school programmes.

Type

The Northwest School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school.

Pupil Nationality Mix

44 international students hold F-1 visas. 44% of students are Students of Color.

Additional learning support

Student support services are available.

Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

Boarding is available, with 43 residential students currently enrolled.

Food Options

Dining services are provided on campus.

Governance and Ownership

The Northwest School is an independent institution founded in 1980.

Academics

Curriculum

The school offers an interdisciplinary, problem-solving approach with over 50 arts courses. Academic pathways and college counselling are available. 82% of faculty hold advanced degrees.

Student Teacher Ratio

7:1

Wellbeing

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Student support services are available.

Parent Experience

History

The Northwest School was founded in 1980 in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighbourhood.

Community

The school enrols 419 students including 43 boarding students and 44 international students, with 44% Students of Color.

Facilities

Facilities Overview

The Capitol Hill campus includes dedicated spaces for 50+ arts courses and boarding facilities.

Sports Facilities

Athletic programmes are available.

Academic Facilities

Technology integration supports the interdisciplinary curriculum.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Global and social justice learning communities extend academic engagement.

Arts & Creative

Over 50 arts courses are offered. The school is ranked #1 for arts in Washington.

Community & Service

Environmental sustainability is a focus of the school community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Summer camp programmes are available.

Reputation

Awards

Ranked #1 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington by Niche (2026).

Accreditations

The school is NWAIS accredited.

Admissions

Applications are accepted for day and boarding students.

Scholarships

21% of families receive financial aid.

School Events

The school has not added events

FAQs

Where is The Northwest School located and what ages/grades does it serve?

The Northwest School is at 1415 Summit Avenue on Capitol Hill in Seattle, WA 98122 and serves students aged 11 to 18 in grades 6–12.

Is The Northwest School co-educational and does it offer boarding?

Yes, The Northwest School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school, and it currently enrolls 43 residential boarding students.

How large is the student body and how international is the school community?

The school enrolls 419 students, including 43 boarding students and 44 international students who hold F-1 visas, and 44% of students are Students of Color.

How do I apply for a place as a day or boarding student?

The school accepts applications for both day and boarding students; families should submit the standard application materials and follow the admissions timeline for review and decisions.

Does The Northwest School offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes, financial aid is available and 21% of families receive financial aid.

Can international students apply for boarding and do they need a visa?

International students can apply for boarding; currently 44 international students hold F-1 visas, which is the visa category used by international students at the school.

What is the school's academic approach and what makes its programme distinctive?

The Northwest School uses an interdisciplinary, problem-solving approach that integrates the arts across subjects and offers more than 50 dedicated arts courses to support creative inquiry.

What is the typical class size or student–teacher ratio?

The school maintains a 7:1 student–teacher ratio, supporting small-group learning and individualized attention.

Do students receive college counselling or academic pathways planning?

Yes, academic pathways and college counselling are available to support students through course planning and post‑secondary preparation.

What arts facilities are available on campus?

The Capitol Hill campus includes dedicated spaces to support the 50+ arts courses offered, with studios and facilities tailored to visual and performing arts.

Are there sports and athletic programmes on campus?

Athletic programmes are available for students, with access to sports facilities to support physical education and team activities.

How does technology support learning at The Northwest School?

Technology is integrated into the academic programme to support the interdisciplinary, problem‑solving curriculum and student projects.

What extracurricular and arts opportunities exist beyond regular classes?

Students can choose from a wide range of arts courses and extracurricular activities tied to creative, academic, and social interests, reflecting the school's strong emphasis on the arts.

Does the school offer community engagement or service-learning opportunities?

Yes, global and social justice learning communities extend academic engagement, and environmental sustainability is a focus of the school community for service and projects.

Are there summer programmes or wellbeing activities offered by the school?

Summer camp programmes are available, providing additional opportunities for student learning and wellbeing outside the regular academic year.

What support is available for students with additional learning needs?

Student support services are available to assist learners with additional needs, providing tailored help to support academic success.

How are boarding students supported during the school year?

Boarding is offered on campus with 43 residential students currently enrolled, and boarding students have access to campus dining services and student support services.

Is dining provided on campus for students?

Yes, dining services are provided on campus to serve day and boarding students.

When was The Northwest School founded and how is it governed?

The Northwest School was founded in 1980 and operates as an independent institution.

Is the school accredited and has it received any notable recognition?

The Northwest School is accredited by NWAIS and was ranked #1 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington by Niche in 2026.

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