MORE ABOUT BOARDING SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON

The Washington State Board of Education envisions an education system where students are engaged in personalized education pathways that prepare them for civic engagement, careers, postsecondary education, and lifelong learning. The strategic plan also lays out a set of goals and priorities to realize this vision.

Approximately five hundred private and boarding schools operate in Washington, serving over 80,000 students. A boarding school is a non-public school that conducts a program of any or all grades one through twelve. The State Board must approve boarding schools of Education as offering a program that ensures a sufficient primary education to meet usual graduation requirements and meets reasonable standards for boarding school students' health and safety.

Accreditation is voluntary for public, private, and boarding schools in Washington. Because accreditation isn't a state-required process, there isn't any statewide list of accredited schools.

The Washington State Board of Education's mission is to provide transparent leadership in K-12 Education, effective oversight of schools serving Washington K-12 students, and assertive advocacy for student personal growth and success. These three areas of responsibility will support a school system that personalizes learning for each student and values diverse cultures, abilities, and learning styles.

High school boarding school students in Washington have the option of utilizing the state's Running Start program. Initiated by the state legislature in 1990, the program allows students to attend higher education institutions at public expense, simultaneously earning high school and college credit.

Washington boarding schools offer elite-level education and self-growth that help boarding school students have a successful future. Washington State is full of a unique beauty that attracts a diverse group of people – from adventure seekers to students seeking solitude.

Residential programs in the state of Washington are regulated by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families at https://dcyf.wa.gov which can be reached at 1-800-723-4831. The Attorney General in Washington is found in the Washington Office of the Attorney General at https://atg.wa.gov which can be reached at 1-206-464-6684. The department that regulates education in Washington is the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at https://k12.wa.us which can be reached at 1-360-725-6000. The five largest cities in Washington are Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue.