San Francisco and Seattle have emerged as leaders among major U.S. cities in the percentage of K-12 students attending private schools, with recent data indicating rates significantly above the national average. This trend prompts questions regarding the influence of local public school policies on parental choices. As Michael Strong noted in a recent tweet, "SF and Seattle lead the US in percentage attending private school. Might this be related to local public school policies?"
Census data from 2023 reveals that approximately 30% of K-12 students in San Francisco are enrolled in private institutions, securing its position as number one. Seattle follows closely, with 25% of its K-12 students attending private schools, marking an all-time high for the city and nearly double the national average of 12.8%. This spike in Seattle's private school enrollment, totaling an estimated 19,400 students, coincides with a decline in Seattle Public Schools (SPS) enrollment.
A significant factor contributing to this shift appears to be growing parental dissatisfaction with public school systems. Concerns cited by parents include issues related to student safety, prolonged COVID-related school shutdowns, and changes to academic programs. One parent, commenting on the situation, expressed frustration: "SPS IS a complete failure of a school system, both in mismanagement... and terrible vision and goals."
The affluence of both San Francisco and Seattle plays a role, as many families possess the financial means to afford private school tuition, which averages over $20,000 annually in Seattle. However, the movement towards private education is also fueled by specific public school policy decisions. In Seattle, for instance, the phasing out of the highly capable cohort program due to equity issues has reportedly driven some parents of academically gifted children to seek alternatives.
Nationally, public education faces broader challenges, including declining birthrates, housing crises, and the increasing popularity of "school choice" options. Seattle Public Schools, like many urban districts, is contending with declining enrollment, which can lead to reduced funding and potential school closures, further exacerbating the trend towards private and alternative schooling. The impending closure of some city schools in Seattle suggests that the share of students in private education may continue to rise.
