Excellence in Education: Eastside School Guide
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2026 School Guide
Excellence in Education

The Eastside
School Guide

West Bellevue · Clyde Hill · Medina · Tam O'Shanter
⭑ #1 School District in Washington · Niche 2026

Few things matter more to a family choosing a home than the quality of its schools. In West Bellevue, Clyde Hill, and Medina, residents enjoy a remarkable privilege: access to the top-ranked school district in Washington State — the Bellevue School District — alongside some of the Pacific Northwest's most prestigious independent institutions. Whether you're seeking a neighborhood public school with an exceptional track record or a selective private environment with world-class resources, the Eastside delivers options that rival any market in the country.

01

Highly-Rated Public Schools

Bellevue School District · Ranked #1 in Washington

Elementary · K–5
Bennett Elementary
Tam O'Shanter Neighborhood
★ A+ Rated
Located directly within the Tam O'Shanter neighborhood, Bennett is celebrated for exceptional academic proficiency scores and an unusually engaged parent community. It sets a strong foundation that feeds seamlessly into the district's top middle and high school programs.
Middle School · 6–8
Odle Middle School
Bellevue, WA
★ Top-Ranked in Washington
One of Washington's top-ranked middle schools, Odle is known for its advanced academic focus and rigorous preparation for the district's competitive high school programs, including the Advanced Learning and International Baccalaureate pathways.
High School · 9–12
Sammamish High School
Bellevue, WA
★ A Rated
A modern campus with a strong STEM emphasis and an "A" rated college-preparatory curriculum. Sammamish offers students a forward-looking educational environment designed to compete with the best public high schools in the state.
Choice School · 6–12
Bellevue International School
Bellevue, WA · District-Wide Enrollment
★ Top 5 Public School in Washington
A premier choice-school within the district, consistently ranked among Washington's Top 5 public middle and high schools. Its intimate, global-focused environment combines the resources of a major district with the personal attention of a small school.
⭑ School Spotlight · Advanced Learning & IB
Interlake High School
16245 NE 24th Street · Bellevue, WA 98008
#7
Ranked in Washington
#330
National Ranking
~1,700
Students Enrolled
37%
In Advanced Learning
73%
AP Participation Rate
Interlake High School stands among the most academically distinguished public high schools in the Pacific Northwest. As the only Bellevue School District high school hosting the district's Advanced Learning Program, Interlake draws Washington's highest-achieving students into an environment of genuine intellectual rigor. The school has produced more National Merit Semifinalists than any other public or private school in Washington state for three consecutive years — a remarkable achievement that speaks directly to the caliber of its student body and faculty.

As an authorized International Baccalaureate World School — one of only 24 in Washington — Interlake offers the globally recognized IB Diploma Programme, with Advanced Learning students completing the demanding curriculum a full year ahead of schedule. Academic performance reflects this intensity: 87% of students meet or exceed proficiency in English Language Arts and 74% in Math, both figures significantly outpacing district and state averages. For families prioritizing university placement at top-tier institutions, Interlake's track record and course rigor send a clear signal to college admissions offices.
IB World School
Advanced Learning Program
National Merit Leader
$100M Campus Renovation
Career & Technical Ed
PACIFIC Special Ed Program
02

Premier Private & Independent Schools

Pacific Northwest · 2026 Tuition Reference

Independent · 5–12
Lakeside School
Seattle, WA
Widely considered the most prestigious independent school in the Pacific Northwest, Lakeside is renowned for exceptional academic intensity, world-class facilities, and an alumni network that reaches the highest levels of business and public life.
$45,000–$48,000
2026 Annual Tuition
Catholic · Girls 5–12
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Bellevue, WA
★ #1 Catholic High School in Washington
The top-ranked Catholic high school in Washington, Forest Ridge provides a global curriculum within an empowering all-girls environment (grades 5–12). An exceptional 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio ensures individualized attention rarely found at this scale.
~$48,000
2026 Upper School Annual Tuition
Faith-Based · Co-Ed 6–12
Eastside Catholic
Sammamish, WA
A leading co-ed faith-based school offering a balanced blend of rigorous academics, championship-level athletics, and a vibrant extracurricular culture. Eastside Catholic is a community school in the truest sense — families become deeply invested well beyond the classroom.
~$30,000
2026 Annual Tuition
Jesuit · Co-Ed 9–12
Seattle Preparatory School
Seattle, WA
A Jesuit institution guided by the philosophy of Cura Personalis — care for the whole person. Seattle Prep's strong college-preparatory track, diverse and engaged student body, and values-driven culture make it one of the Eastside's most respected private options.
~$20,000–$25,000
2026 Estimated Annual Tuition
Independent · 5–12 · 75-Acre Campus
The Overlake School
Redmond, WA
Set on a magnificent 75-acre campus, Overlake is a premier independent school that integrates experiential learning, outdoor education, and high-level academics into a distinctive whole. It attracts students who thrive in environments that value both intellectual depth and the development of character through genuine experience.
District Distinction
Bellevue School District:
Washington's Best, 2026
The Bellevue School District's #1 ranking reflects excellence across every measure: academic achievement, teacher quality, college readiness, and community satisfaction. For homeowners in West Bellevue, Clyde Hill, Medina, and the Tam O'Shanter neighborhood, this ranking isn't abstract — it's the daily reality of neighborhood schools that consistently outperform state and national benchmarks. The district was also recognized by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction as one of Washington's Top 25 districts for academic achievement in its inaugural State Superintendent's Award for Educational Excellence.
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