First things first, I can say from my personal experience in Spokane and Spokane Valley schools that the Spokane area is full of wonderful and positive educational opportunities that cater to the diverse needs of its residents. I wanted to write this post to provide a quick snapshot of Spokane’s top rated schools. This list is meant to give you a quick overview of some highly rated schools in a variety of neighborhoods across Spokane. One thing that really stood out to me after tracking down the data is the fact that Spokane has some wonderful educational offerings in nearly every neighborhood. After viewing this list, I encourage you to do additional research such as talking with other parents and community members to find a school that meets the needs of you or your family.
The below list includes elementary schools to higher education, alternative educational offerings and special education as well as homeschooling resources in the area. For each academic tier, I’ve listed the top rated schools 3-5 top rated public schools in a variety of neighborhoods across Spokane and 2-3 private schools. For alternative schools, I’ve included a small note about what makes that school unique. Resources are a sampling and listed in no particular order. All information was collected in August 2024.
Spokane Elementary Schools
Spokane County is home to several top-performing public elementary schools that are highly rated for their emphasis on student achievement and small class size. Private elementary institutions provide faith-based education.
Top Rated Elementary Schools
Spokane Public Elementary Schools
- Wilson Elementary School
- Rating: 9/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: South Hill
- Balboa Elementary School
- Rating: 8/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Northwest Spokane
- Meadow Ridge Elementary
- Rating: 8/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- Moran Prairie Elementary School
- Rating: 8/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Moran Prairie
- Chester Elementary School
- Rating: 8/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Spokane Valley
Spokane Private Elementary Schools:
- Saint George’s School
- Rating: A+ on Niche
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- Cataldo Catholic School
-
- Rating: 5/5 per reviews on Niche (Niche official rating not available)
- Neighborhood: South Hill, Spokane
Related: Looking for a basic list of all school districts in the area? View my Spokane Relocation Guide from a Local!
Elementary kids working together.
Spokane Middle Schools
Navigating the crucial (and awkward) transitional period between elementary and high school, Spokane offers many public middle schools, private middle schools (predominantly faith-based) and alternative schools.
Top Rated Middle Schools
Spokane Public Middle Schools
- Sacajawea Middle School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: South Hill, Spokane
- Highland Middle School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- Greenacres Middle School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Spokane Valley
Spokane Private Middle Schools:
- Saint George’s School
- Rating: A+ on Niche
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- The Oaks Academy
- Rating: A- on Niche
- Neighborhood: Spokane Valley
Spokane High Schools
High school students in Spokane County have access to a variety of top-rated public schools, private institutions, alternative schools and access to college-level courses through Running Start; a program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to take college courses at Washington's 34 community and technical colleges tuition-free. Many schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, extracurricular activities and strong athletic programs. Some high schools even offer trade programs. For those seeking a private education, most private high schools offer college preparatory programs, athletics and extracurriculars that place emphasis on community service.
Top Rated High Schools
Spokane Public High Schools
- STEM Academy at SVT
- Rating: 9/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Spokane Valley
- Ferris High School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Heights, Spokane
- Mead Senior High School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- Central Valley High School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: Spokane Valley
Spokane Private High Schools:
- Saint George’s School
- Rating: A+ on Niche
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- Gonzaga Preparatory School
- Rating: A on Niche
- Neighborhood: East Central, Spokane
- Northwest Christian Schools
- Rating: A- on Niche
- Neighborhood: Colbert, Spokane County
Spokane Alternative Schools
For students who thrive in non-traditional educational environments, Spokane County offers several alternative schools that cater to unique learning needs. These schools provide valuable alternatives for students who may not fit the mold of traditional educational settings.
Top Rated Alternative Schools
- Bryant TEC
- Rating: 8/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: East Central, Spokane
- Overview: Bryant TEC is a one-of-a-kind school in the Spokane Public Schools district, offering a unique mix of in-building classes taught by certified teachers and home instruction led by parents.
- Source: GreatSchools
- Pride Prep Charter School (Middle School) & Innovation High School
- Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: East Central, Spokane
- Overview: Pride Prep offers a unique project-based learning environment that encourages creativity and independent thinking. The school focuses on personalized learning plans and prepares students for success in high school and beyond.
- Source: GreatSchools
- The Community School
- Rating: 6/10 on GreatSchools
- Neighborhood: West Central, Spokane
- Overview: The Community School offers a student-centered approach with a focus on project-based learning and community engagement. The school emphasizes real-world applications of learning and encourages students to take an active role in their education.
Higher Education in Spokane
Spokane County is home to several prestigious higher education institutions, making it a hub for post-secondary education. From private liberal arts colleges to larger state-run schools and community colleges, Spokane higher education facilities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs that attract students from across the country.
Top Rated Higher Education Institutions
- Gonzaga University
- Rating: B+ on Niche
- Neighborhood: East Central, Spokane
- Whitworth University
- Rating: B on Niche
- Neighborhood: North Spokane
- Eastern Washington University
- Rating: B on Niche
- Neighborhood: Cheney, Spokane County
- Spokane Community College
- Rating: B on Niche
- Neighborhood: East Central, Spokane
Special Education Resources
Through the public school system as well as community nonprofit organizations and more, there are many special education resources available.
- Spokane Public Schools Special Education Services
Provides a comprehensive range of special education services from preschool through high school, including individualized education programs (IEPs), specialized instruction, and support services. - The Arc of Spokane
A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, resources, and community integration services. Additionally their Parent to Parent Program connects parents of children with special needs to other parents for support, advice, and guidance, providing a network of support groups and resources. - Northwest Autism Center
Provides support for individuals with autism and their families through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, social skills groups, and parent support. - Skils'kin
A nonprofit organization in Spokane offering services for high school aged kids and older to help people with disabilities achieve independence and integration into the community.
Homeschooling Resources
Lastly, I wanted to touch on homeschooling opportunities in Spokane, WA. Spokane has quite a few resources for homeschool families. I will list a handful here in no particular order.
- Spokane County Library District (SCLD)
Offers curriculum guides, educational programs, and a vast collection of books and digital resources for homeschool families. - Spokane Area Homeschool Community Facebook Page (and many others!)
A parent-run cooperative offering resources for homeschool students - Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO)
A statewide organization providing resources, legal information, and support for homeschool families. - Valley Christian School Homeschool ProgramOffers a homeschool partnership program with curriculum support and access to extracurricular activities.
- Classical Conversations
A nationwide program with local chapters in Spokane offering a classical Christian education model.
Hopefully this gives you an overview of many of the top rated schools and educational resources that Spokane, WA has to offer. If you want to do more research on schools in the Spokane area, the National Center for Education Statistics offers data on any public school in the nation. Additionally, I always suggest reaching out to community members familiar with your schools of interest to gain a more personal perspective.
If you’re considering a move to Spokane or looking to relocate to a new Spokane neighborhood, I’d love to be your experienced, local real estate agent. Feel free to take a look at my listings here or reach out to me.
