Is Garfield High School a good school?

Garfield High School ranks 46 th of 437 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Garfield High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,642 students attended Garfield High School.

What is the racial makeup of Garfield High School?

Students at Garfield High School are 37% White, 27% African American, 12% Asian, 11% Two or more races, 10% Hispanic, 2% Not Specified.

What schools feed into Garfield High School?

Garfield High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Bailey Gatzert Elementary School Elementary : Leschi Elementary School Elementary : Lowell Elementary School Elementary : Madrona K-5 School Elementary : McGilvra Elementary School Elementary : Montlake Elementary School Elementary : Stevens Elementary School Middle : Edmonds S. Meany Middle School

Garfield High School

Summary:

Garfield High School is a diverse public high school in Seattle, Washington, serving 1,642 students in grades 9-12 and part of the Seattle School District No. 1, which is ranked 48th out of 247 districts in the state.

Garfield High School consistently outperforms state and district averages in academic achievement, with 80.68% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 56.04% proficient in Math, compared to 52.63% and 41.68% for the state, respectively. The school's diverse student population, with 36.78% White, 26.98% African American, and 12.48% Asian students, is a key strength. Garfield also performs exceptionally well for certain student subgroups, ranking 6th out of 374 Washington high schools for White students, 26th out of 113 for Asian students, and 20th out of 161 for multi-racial students. Additionally, the school maintains a high 91.2% four-year graduation rate.

While Garfield High School outperforms nearby schools like Cleveland High School STEM and Franklin High School in academic performance and graduation rates, it lags behind the highly-ranked The Center School in some areas. The school also faces challenges, such as declining enrollment, fluctuating rankings, and a significant population of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 40.19% receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Continued focus on supporting all students and addressing these challenges will be crucial for Garfield High School to maintain its strong reputation and performance.

Detail:

Public 9-12

400 23 Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-4928

(206) 252-2270

District: Seattle School District No. 1

SchoolDigger Rank:
46^th of 437 Washington High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,312

Feeder schools for Garfield High School:

Elementary:	Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
	Leschi Elementary School
	Lowell Elementary School
	Madrona K-5 School
	More...
	McGilvra Elementary School
	Montlake Elementary School
	Stevens Elementary School
Middle:	Edmonds S. Meany Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 24.0

Number of students: 1,642

Racial breakdown:

White:

36.8%

African American:

27.0%

Asian:

12.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 40.2%

See top rated Washington high schools

Compare Garfield High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Garfield High School ranks better than 89.5% of high schools in Washington. It also ranks 4^th among 15 ranked high schools in the Seattle School District No. 1. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 88.2. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Garfield High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Garfield High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (36.8%), African American (27%), Asian (12.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 40.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Compare Details (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Garfield High School is 24. 16 high schools in the Seattle School District No. 1 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Garfield High School employs 68.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Garfield High School is $17,312. 18 high schools in the Seattle School District No. 1 spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Garfield High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Garfield High School 46^th of 437 Washington public high schools. (See Garfield High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Multi-racial students:

English Language Learner students:

Special Education students:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

Asian students:

African American students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Seattle School District No. 1:

SchoolDigger ranks Seattle School District No. 1 48^th of 247 Washington school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Garfield High School

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Rank History for all students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2004	75.69	82^nd	390	79.0%
2005	74.72	88^th	394	77.7%
2006	85.39	32^nd	395	91.9%
2007	83.47	39^th	399	90.2%
2008	86.89	25^th	396	93.7%
2009	84.00	38^th	402	90.5%
2010	85.30	35^th	423	91.7%
2011	53.36	204^th	440	53.6%
2012	59.41	176^th	450	60.9%
2013	69.74	97^th	454	78.6%
2016	81.06	40^th	306	86.9%
2017	68.13	102^nd	301	66.1%
2018	78.58	56^th	315	82.2%
2019	87.96	31^st	417	92.6%
2021	74.61	86^th	455	81.1%
2022	82.84	58^th	434	86.6%
2023	63.44	145^th	442	67.2%
2024	88.20	46^th	437	89.5%

See the entire list of Washington High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	76.18	20^th	91	78.0%
2019	80.17	25^th	163	84.7%
2021	84.93	20^th	195	89.7%
2022	89.87	11^th	179	93.9%
2023	64.72	47^th	166	71.7%
2024	86.17	20^th	161	87.6%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	63.48	16^th	65	75.4%
2021	60.73	27^th	102	73.5%
2024	57.68	20^th	68	70.6%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2019	83.40	15^th	128	88.3%
2021	60.05	49^th	212	76.9%
2022	81.57	15^th	130	88.5%
2023	48.08	47^th	110	57.3%
2024	66.03	25^th	110	77.3%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	58.19	99^th	227	56.4%
2019	51.65	157^th	344	54.4%
2021	46.77	195^th	392	50.3%
2022	43.82	201^st	370	45.7%
2023	49.73	180^th	362	50.3%
2024	72.66	70^th	356	80.3%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	54.69	18^th	43	58.1%
2021	23.06	36^th	45	20.0%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	85.11	23^rd	243	90.5%
2019	85.87	33^rd	358	90.8%
2021	72.12	76^th	390	80.5%
2022	77.16	67^th	368	81.8%
2023	57.90	143^rd	357	59.9%
2024	88.60	34^th	347	90.2%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	65.71	82^nd	254	67.7%
2019	89.22	24^th	355	93.2%
2021	74.78	76^th	395	80.8%
2022	84.42	47^th	363	87.1%
2023	63.45	111^th	358	69.0%
2024	82.65	58^th	362	84.0%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	71.97	24^th	87	72.4%
2019	81.93	19^th	121	84.3%
2021	72.21	35^th	136	74.3%
2022	70.25	33^rd	124	73.4%
2023	82.19	23^rd	118	80.5%
2024	77.56	26^th	113	77.0%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	50.77	26^th	54	51.9%
2019	27.94	65^th	86	24.4%
2021	26.63	88^th	111	20.7%
2022	34.04	59^th	89	33.7%
2023	52.39	41^st	78	47.4%
2024	62.44	22^nd	70	68.6%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2019	86.64	23^rd	241	90.5%
2021	50.58	127^th	278	54.3%
2022	79.72	41^st	261	84.3%
2023	74.60	42^nd	249	83.1%
2024	73.43	46^th	248	81.5%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Garfield High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	WA State Percentile
2018	83.22	21^st	222	90.5%
2019	96.68	3^rd	382	99.2%
2021	94.45	10^th	413	97.6%
2022	94.90	5^th	390	98.7%
2023	67.48	106^th	379	72.0%
2024	96.84	6^th	374	98.4%

See the entire list of Best Washington High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Wednesday, April 5, 2017

I didn't realize how great this school was until I left. This school is not only excellent for learning, but teaches kids to be active in the community, as well as having a very caring aura. Close Quote

by a student
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

I have received an excellent education at this institution. I have been able to take many AP classes, such as Calculus and Latin. My teachers have been dedicated and intelligent, and I have been encouraged to ask questions and enjoy my learning process. Garfield High School has provided me an intellectual hunger that I will continue to nourish for the rest of my life. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Garfield High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	682	633	101	32	12	n/a	n/a	0	1460
1989	562	561	104	35	6	n/a	n/a	0	1268
1990	554	506	104	31	4	n/a	n/a	0	1199
1991	615	594	146	36	15	n/a	n/a	0	1406
1992	640	460	121	37	17	n/a	n/a	0	1275
1993	696	505	123	43	21	n/a	n/a	0	1388
1994	726	550	138	43	27	n/a	n/a	0	1484
1995	804	524	182	63	26	n/a	n/a	0	1599
1996	804	524	182	63	26	n/a	n/a	0	1599
1997	872	531	199	60	29	n/a	n/a	0	1691
1998	857	508	199	60	24	n/a	n/a	0	1648
1999	847	555	212	64	31	n/a	n/a	0	1709
2000	823	605	218	77	20	n/a	n/a	0	1743
2001	807	590	233	77	26	n/a	n/a	0	1733
2002	785	500	267	105	31	n/a	n/a	0	1688
2003	785	500	267	105	31	n/a	n/a	0	1688
2004	756	496	282	92	26	n/a	n/a	0	1652
2005	700	512	294	98	21	n/a	n/a	0	1625
2006	688	469	320	98	20	n/a	n/a	0	1595
2007	704	443	340	95	18	n/a	n/a	0	1600
2008	714	441	386	88	14	n/a	n/a	0	1643
2009	699	459	408	102	11	n/a	n/a	0	1679
2010	653	462	401	114	12	n/a	n/a	0	1642
2011	673	539	415	137	13	4	5	0	1786
2012	648	521	378	132	14	3	27	0	1723
2013	615	519	349	123	15	5	45	0	1671
2014	605	464	325	131	9	2	70	0	1606
2015	622	454	299	133	10	2	100	0	1620
2016	687	450	299	141	9	5	121	0	1712
2017	730	435	304	139	10	7	136	0	1761
2018	799	427	306	142	10	7	166	0	1857
2019	769	406	289	136	12	6	160	0	1778
2020	749	432	281	143	9	6	163	3	1786
2021	710	424	251	140	5	7	184	8	1729
2022	672	444	214	126	6	10	185	18	1675
2023	604	443	205	161	4	12	187	26	1642

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Garfield High School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1460	66.0	22.1	0
1989	1268	58.0	21.8	n/a
1990	1199	53.0	22.6	0
1991	1406	51.6	27.2	n/a
1992	1275	51.9	24.5	n/a
1993	1388	56.3	24.7	n/a
1994	1484	56.8	26.1	n/a
1995	1599	64.8	24.7	n/a
1996	1599	64.8	24.7	n/a
1997	1691	67.3	25.1	n/a
1998	1648	64.5	25.6	n/a
1999	1709	65.1	26.3	n/a
2000	1743	70.7	24.7	n/a
2001	1733	69.4	25.0	n/a
2002	1688	75.2	22.4	21.9
2003	1688	75.2	22.4	21.9
2004	1652	68.0	24.3	21.8
2005	1625	68.4	23.8	24.6
2006	1595	63.5	25.1	21.6
2007	1600	71.1	22.5	24.3
2008	1643	67.8	24.2	25.5
2009	1679	69.8	24.1	30.5
2010	1642	70.8	23.1	34.7
2011	1786	75.0	23.8	38.3
2012	1723	77.9	22.1	39.1
2013	1671	76.2	21.9	39.9
2014	1606	n/a	n/a	40.8
2015	1620	73.0	22.1	34.5
2016	1712	74.0	23.1	33.4
2017	1761	77.5	22.6	34.1
2018	1857	83.9	22.1	30.2
2019	1778	81.3	21.8	29.8
2020	1786	68.6	26.0	29.5
2021	1729	72.8	23.7	30.2
2022	1675	66.6	25.1	34.1
2023	1642	68.2	24.0	40.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Garfield High School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1460	66.0	22.1	0
1989	1268	58.0	21.8	n/a
1990	1199	53.0	22.6	0
1991	1406	51.6	27.2	n/a
1992	1275	51.9	24.5	n/a
1993	1388	56.3	24.7	n/a
1994	1484	56.8	26.1	n/a
1995	1599	64.8	24.7	n/a
1996	1599	64.8	24.7	n/a
1997	1691	67.3	25.1	n/a
1998	1648	64.5	25.6	n/a
1999	1709	65.1	26.3	n/a
2000	1743	70.7	24.7	n/a
2001	1733	69.4	25.0	n/a
2002	1688	75.2	22.4	21.9
2003	1688	75.2	22.4	21.9
2004	1652	68.0	24.3	21.8
2005	1625	68.4	23.8	24.6
2006	1595	63.5	25.1	21.6
2007	1600	71.1	22.5	24.3
2008	1643	67.8	24.2	25.5
2009	1679	69.8	24.1	30.5
2010	1642	70.8	23.1	34.7
2011	1786	75.0	23.8	38.3
2012	1723	77.9	22.1	39.1
2013	1671	76.2	21.9	39.9
2014	1606	n/a	n/a	40.8
2015	1620	73.0	22.1	34.5
2016	1712	74.0	23.1	33.4
2017	1761	77.5	22.6	34.1
2018	1857	83.9	22.1	30.2
2019	1778	81.3	21.8	29.8
2020	1786	68.6	26.0	29.5
2021	1729	72.8	23.7	30.2
2022	1675	66.6	25.1	34.1
2023	1642	68.2	24.0	40.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Immunization Rates