The Northwest Metroplex has a vibrant and growing community of private schools. The US Census reports that a third of first through twelfth graders participate in private education and Seattle has the highest rate of private school attendance in the nation. The growth spurt began in the 1990s. An average of 21 new schools each year were registering with the Washington State SPI‘s office. Today there are more than 500 state-approved private schools with more than 400 in Western Washington.

Choosing the best school district for a family does not have to be difficult, if you know what you’re looking for, if you keep in mind the needs of your child or children and if you know the right questions to ask. What Works, a booklet produced by the U. S. Department of Education, lists the following as the most important characteristics of an effective school.