The Northwest School is a co-ed, middle and high school with a student population of about 500 students.
Located in downtown Seattle, The Northwest School offers a college preparatory experience grounded in vigorous study. Its challenging curriculum teaches students to discover the connections between historic, scientific, and artistic fields of knowledge. The school has a national reputation as a vibrant intellectual community and has been recognized by the US Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
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Quick Stats (2023)
- Grades: (Boarding) 9-12
- Enrollment: 460 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $65,690
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $46,585
- Acceptance rate: 48%
- Average class size: 16 students
- Application Deadline: Dec. 11 / Feb. 12 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Northwest School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 296 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
6-12
5-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1980
1906
Campus Size
2 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
460 students
315 students
% Students of Color
30%
25%
% International Students
16%
20%
% Students Boarding
11%
69%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1210 - 1470
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
7:1
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
47%
71%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$9 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$65,690
(Boarding fee $19,105 Includes room and board )
(Boarding fee $19,105 Includes room and board )
$62,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$46,585
($46,585 Includes tuition ($44,560), lunch ($1,450), health insurance ($575))
($46,585 Includes tuition ($44,560), lunch ($1,450), health insurance ($575))
$35,070
% Students on Financial Aid
15%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$27,000
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Acceptance Rate
Application Deadline
Dec. 11 / Feb. 12 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Average Percentile SSAT
79%
-
Acceptance Rate
48%
58%
Director of Admissions
Michelle Sanchez
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
17
Courses
Advanced Calculus, Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Drawing, Advanced English Composition, Advanced Photography, Advanced Spanish
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
6
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
11
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Asian Art Club, Badminton Club, Black Student Union, GLAM, Habitat for Humanity, International Student Union, Math Club, Model UN, Outdoor Program, Programming Interest Group, The Cooking Space
Asian Art Club, Badminton Club, Black Student Union, GLAM, Habitat for Humanity, International Student Union, Math Club, Model UN, Outdoor Program, Programming Interest Group, The Cooking Space
College Matriculation
Year: 2015 - 2019
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
University of Washington
35
Western Washington University
18
Whitman College
15
Colorado College
13
Macalester College
10
Scripps College
9
Seattle University
8
University of Redland
8
Boston University
7
Occidental College
6
School Notes
- The Northwest School campus is anchored in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of downtown Seattle. The school`s urban campus is surrounded by many art studios, museums, concert halls and theaters. The campus is just a few minutes` walk from the shore of the Pacific Ocean, famous Pike Place Market, the first Starbucks coffee shop, the Paramount Theater, the Pacific Science Center, the Space Needle and many other cultural landmarks and recreational activities.
- The Northwest School is the only school in Seattle with a co-ed international boarding program. The school`s dormitory located on campus offers a safe environment in which faculty and students work together to create a community that supports personal growth. The faculty help students gain communication, conflict resolution, and academic skills, while living together in a joyful, vibrant learning community.
- The Northwest School`s unique interdisciplinary program of studies consist of an integrated humanities program, applied mathematics, science, language study, visual and performing arts experiences, and athletic competition. The school offers 55 art courses in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts taught by professional artists. It fields 30 teams in Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track and Field, and Ultimate Frisbee.
- Graduates of The Northwest School attend some of the top universities in the nation and abroad. Every year representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities from across the United States visit the school to recruit NWS students. All school`s graduates are admitted to universities and colleges.
- NWS students are actively engaged in sports, the arts, community projects, and outdoor activities. The Northwest School provides many opportunities for students to experience the natural environment beyond the city, through sea kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, hiking, biking and camping. The Outdoor Program offers a schedule of day and weekend-long trips throughout the year.
- The Northwest School accreditations: NWAIS, NAIS, TABS, NSLA, PBC, NBOA, DIEN, the National Summer Learning Association
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Emmett Shear - American internet entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder of live video platforms Justin.tv and TwitchTV. He is the Chief executive officer of Twitch. [2] He's also a part-time partner at venture capital firm Y Combinator.[3] Shear is also co-foun
- Stone Gossard - Musician, co-founder of American rock band Pearl Jam.
- Liz Mair - Political strategist
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Northwest School cost?
The Northwest School's tuition is approximately $65,690 for boarding students and $46,585 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Northwest School?
The acceptance rate of The Northwest School is 48%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from The Northwest School?
The Northwest School famous alumni include: Emmett Shear, Stone Gossard and Liz Mair.
What sports does The Northwest School offer?
The Northwest School offers 6 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
Does The Northwest School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Northwest School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is The Northwest School's ranking?
The Northwest School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for The Northwest School?
The application deadline for The Northwest School is Dec. 11 / Feb. 12 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 11 / Feb. 12 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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