The Northwest School
Seattle
Washington
United States
Overview
The Northwest School provides a vigorous, college preparatory program of cross-disciplinary study in the Humanities, Sciences, and the Arts, for grades 6-12. Our mission is to graduate students with historical, scientific, artistic, and global perspective, believing they have a positive impact on the world. The school has a uniquely international character: the fact that 14% of its population comes from abroad gives students a truly global perspective. Regular participation in Environment Teams, which clean the historic building and grounds, and in the Outdoor Program, which offers trips throughout the region, teach responsibility and respect for the environment. Students graduate from the Upper School with a thorough liberal arts education grounded in ethics and social justice. The academic core is a three-year survey of human society from prehistory through present day. Learning to analyze history from political, economic, social, religious, and artistic perspectives lays the foundation for college-level electives in the senior year. The daily presence of international students from more than 12 countries creates a global perspective for our whole community and makes our population unique among Seattle-area schools. International students who receive ESL support are gradually integrated into more courses with American students each year. Physical education, sports teams, arts courses, class trips, the Environment Program and the Outdoor Program offer additional chances for interaction.
Academics
Summary: True intellectual growth requires going beyond a command of facts or figures. It requires reflecting and questioning. Synthesizing concepts. Developing independent thought and intellectual courage. At the Northwest School, students are challenged with an exciting college-preparatory academic experience rooted in vigorous study and exploration. With a liberal arts curriculum founded in integrated Humanities, students graduate with a historical, scientific, artistic and global perspective—prepared for a fulfilling life, both in college and beyond.
Department Director Meg Goldner Rabinowitz
Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1
Average Class Size: 17
Summer Programs: Offered
Full Time Teachers: 77
Number of AP Courses Offered: 0
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 74%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Learning Support
- Learning Differences Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Technology Center
- ADD/ADHD Support
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Literature
- Poetry
History
- Asian History
- Classical History
- European History
- Medieval History
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Spanish
Religion / Philosophy
- Ethics
- Philosophy
- Social Justice
- World Religions
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Genetics
- Health
- Paleontology
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Physiology
Math
Computer Studies
- Computer Applications
- Multimedia
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
Music
- Band
- Choral Music
- Composition
- Electronic Music
- Orchestra
- Recording
- Songwriting
- Voice
- A Cappella
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Directing
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fiber Arts
- Journalism
- Painting
- Photography
- Pottery
- Production
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- Modern Dance
- Theater History
Special Programs
- Study Abroad
- Community Service
- Exchange Programs
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
Distinctive or New Programs
- Intercultural Exchange (connecting New International Students With Returning Students) Integration (an All Community Initiative To Promote Global Connections)
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 2
Average Students Per Dorm: 27
Number of Girls Dorms: 0
Number of Boys Dorms: 0
Dorm Amenities
- Game Room
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Kitchenette; Music Room; TV Lounge; Computer Lab
Facilities
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
Clubs & Organizations
- Community Service
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Environmental Club
- Gardening Club
- Jewish Student Organization
- Math Club
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Outing Club
- Peer Counseling
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Sexualities Club
- Student Activities
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Weightlifting Club
- Yearbook
Arts & Athletics
Summary: We believe arts education is vital to preparing for a fulfilling life, and is intimately connected to academics. Requiring critical thinking, discipline, self-reflection—and often courage to step out of one’s comfort zone—art offers students fundamental experiences in challenge and accomplishment. It also opens their minds to seeing new pathways to problem-solving. To that end, every student at The Northwest School takes two arts classes at all times, ensuring that no one graduates without having danced, made music, acted onstage and created something of their own vision. At the Northwest School, healthy competition goes hand in hand with a focus on teamwork, dedication, discipline and sportsmanship. That balance of skills has led our student athletes to win more than 40 tournament, league, state, and national championships, while also preparing them to be leaders now and later in life.
Arts Department Director: Julia Freeman
Athletics Department Director: Britt Atack
Arts
- Acting
- Ceramics
- Dance
- Debate
- Design
- Directing
- Drama
- Drawing
- Fiber Arts
- Journalism
- Painting
- Photography
- Pottery
- Production
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- Theater Design
- Modern Dance
- Theater History
Interscholastic Sports
- Basketball
- Cross Country Running
- Soccer
- Track and Field
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Bowling
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Dance
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nordic Ski Racing
- Outdoor Education
- Rock Climbing
- Snowboarding
- Cycling
Graduates
Summary: Every Northwest School student is assigned a college counselor in the 11th grade. College counselors teach research and decision-making skills and challenge students to take ownership of the process. At the end of the process, our goal is not only a positive college outcome, but also that each student has discovered and learned to articulate his or her skills, interests, and talents.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 99%
| Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | 620 | 600 | 620 |
| 75th percentile | 730 | 730 | 730 |
College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
University of Washington: 36
Western Washington University: 17
Whitman College: 16
Colorado College: 13
Pitzer College: 11
University of Colorado at Boulder: 11
Macalester College: 11
Wesleyan University: 9
Seattle University: 9
Lewis & Clark College: 9
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 52
Total Day: 458
Total Enrollment: 510
Boys: 257
Girls: 253
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: 6-12
School Type: Middle, High School
Dress Code: Other
Applications Accepted: Contact School
Application Deadline: January 15th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $60,485
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $42,910
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 15%
Average Awarded: $32,559
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $8,786,657
Contact
Director of Admissions: Michele Sanchez
Admissions Phone: 206 682 7309
Fax: 206 467 7353
Email: michele.sanchez@northwestschool.org
Website: https://www.northwestschool.org
Nearby Schools
- Annie Wright Schools - 25mi / 40 km
- St. Margaret’s School (BC) - 77mi / 124 km
- Brentwood College School - 92mi / 147 km
- Shawnigan Lake School - 94mi / 152 km
- Queen Margaret’s School - 103mi / 166 km
- St. George’s School (BC) - 120mi / 193 km
