Hamilton International Middle School, Seattle WA

Original Research by School Decision on Hamilton International Middle School

Hamilton International Middle School is a regular public school in Seattle serving grades six through eight. It is part of Seattle Public Schools, the largest district in Washington state. The school’s academic performance stands out. In the most recent state assessments, a large majority of students met proficiency standards in English language arts and mathematics across all three tested grades. Science results for eighth graders were similarly strong. When placed relative to other school districts in King County, Hamilton’s overall proficiency index lands in the top quartile. That is a clear strength, especially for a middle school where academic foundations matter for high school readiness. No multi-year trend data is available beyond a single year, so it is not possible to see whether these results are improving or stable over time.

The student body is large for a middle school of this grade band. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white, with Asian students and students of two or more races each forming a meaningful share. Hispanic students make up a smaller portion, and the remaining groups are very small. A relatively modest share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a generally higher-income population than many public schools across the state. Data on special education and English learner populations was not reported in the available records; a parent who needs that information for planning may want to ask the school directly. The school is not a charter or magnet, and no Title I status was listed.

Hamilton sits in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, an urban setting shaped by the city’s dense core of skyscrapers, hillside residential districts, and waterfront. Seattle’s economy is anchored by major employers such as Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft, and the city has seen rapid growth in recent decades, driven by the tech sector. Housing in the school’s zip code is expensive, reflecting the broader King County market where median listing prices and rents are high relative to national benchmarks. The county experienced a modest decline in median listing price year over year, but the overall cost of living remains elevated. A family considering this school should weigh the commute and housing costs, which are typical for central Seattle.

At the district level, Seattle Public Schools has recently navigated several changes. Voters approved a large capital levy in 2022 that funds school construction, renovation, and technology upgrades across the district, which has a direct effect on facilities. At the same time, the district has faced budget pressures tied to declining enrollment and the expiration of federal relief funds, leading to proposals for school closures and program cuts that were scaled back after community opposition. These financial dynamics are relevant for parents who want a sense of the district’s stability. The school itself did not report any specific program offerings in the available data, so it is unclear what elective, advanced, or enrichment options are available beyond the core academic curriculum. Similarly, information on discipline, attendance, and staffing patterns was not present in the records reviewed.

For a family that values strong academic outcomes in a large urban school, Hamilton International Middle School presents a compelling option, with state test results that rank among the strongest in King County. The school’s student composition and neighborhood setting are typical of central Seattle public schools, and the district’s recent financial and enrollment trends are worth monitoring. A parent may also want to look further into the school’s course access and special education supports to ensure a full fit.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 681%

School 81% · District 60% · ▲ 21 pts above district

▲ 44 pts above state median · ▲ 28 pts above county median

Grade 783%

School 83% · District 56% · ▲ 27 pts above district

▲ 45 pts above state median · ▲ 28 pts above county median

Grade 869%

School 69% · District 54% · ▲ 15 pts above district

▲ 35 pts above state median · ▲ 17 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 682%

School 82% · District 67% · ▲ 15 pts above district

▲ 35 pts above state median · ▲ 22 pts above county median

Grade 785%

School 85% · District 38% · ▲ 48 pts above district

▲ 35 pts above state median · ▲ 22 pts above county median

Grade 876%

School 76% · District 66% · ▲ 11 pts above district

▲ 27 pts above state median · ▲ 11 pts above county median

Science

Grade 872%

School 72% · District 60% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▲ 29 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

This schoolSeattle School District No. 1, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 5Lower-income50%Higher-income87%37 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income56%Higher-income86%30 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income56%Higher-income88%32 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income47%Higher-income81%33 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 5Lower-income29%Higher-income71%42 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income42%Higher-income86%44 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income45%Higher-income87%42 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income47%Higher-income72%25 pp gap