The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in Math. The lowest is 29% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Park Elementary School
Highland Park Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Seattle School District, located in the southwest part of the city near the Duwamish Waterway. The school sits in a residential neighborhood that blends older single-family homes with apartment buildings, and the area has seen steady housing cost increases in line with broader Seattle trends. For a family considering this school, the first thing to understand is the academic picture, which shows a mixed set of outcomes that are worth examining closely.
The student body is smaller than many Seattle elementary schools, with an enrollment that is modest for the PK-5 grade band. The school serves a diverse population, with the largest ethnic groups being Hispanic students and White students, followed by Black students, Asian students, and students of two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a higher-poverty context relative to some other Seattle elementary schools. The school does not report data on English learner or special education populations, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, results vary by grade and subject. In third-grade math, a majority of students met the proficiency benchmark, which is a solid outcome. But in fourth-grade math the share was lower, and in fifth-grade math it was lower still. In English language arts, the results are more consistent across grades but remain in a range where a minority of students reached proficiency each year. Fifth-grade science results are lower than both math and ELA for that grade. Looking across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint relative to districts across King County. That comparison is worth a parent’s attention: many other elementary schools in the county serve student populations with higher average test scores, though the comparison does not account for differences in student demographics or community resources.
The school is part of the Seattle School District, which has been navigating significant budget pressures. The district faced a projected budget shortfall for the 2024-25 year, driven by declining enrollment and the expiration of federal relief funds. This led to proposals for school closures and staff reductions, though the district scaled back those plans after community opposition. Families entering the district should be aware that these financial constraints may affect programming and class sizes in the coming years. On the capital side, Seattle voters approved a major facilities levy in 2022 that funds school construction and technology upgrades, so Highland Park Elementary may see improvements over time.
Housing in the school’s zip code is expensive, reflecting the broader Seattle market. Home values are well above national averages, and rental costs are similarly high. For a family buying or renting in this part of the city, the financial commitment is substantial. The local housing market has shown some cooling recently, but affordability remains a significant factor.
Highland Park Elementary is a neighborhood school in a large urban district with a diverse student body and a significant share of families experiencing economic disadvantage. Its state test results are mixed, with third-grade math standing out as a relative strength while other subjects and grades show more modest outcomes. The district’s ongoing financial challenges add uncertainty about resources and program stability. A parent considering this school will want to visit, talk to the principal about academic support structures and how the school serves its English learner and special education populations, and weigh the school’s strengths against the broader context of Seattle’s competitive and costly housing market.
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