The Northwest School
The Northwest School is an independent, nonprofit private school in Seattle serving 342 students in grades 6-12 through an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum, with the only 5- and 7-day boarding program in Seattle and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Northwest School does
The Northwest School is an independent, nonprofit private school located on a single urban campus in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, serving 342 students in grades 6 through 12. Founded in 1980 by Mark Terry, Ellen Taussig, and Paul Raymond, the school operates an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum combining humanities, sciences, mathematics, world languages, and arts, delivered via a distinctive biweekly block schedule of eight 75-minute classes. It maintains a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio with 71 percent of faculty holding advanced degrees, and is the only boarding program in Seattle offering both 5-day and 7-day residential options.
The school delivers its core offering through Middle School (grades 6-8) and Upper School (grades 9-12) programs, supplemented by a 50+ course Arts program (ranked #1 in Washington for arts by Niche 2026), 13-sport Athletics program, College Counseling service, and a farm-to-table Dining program. Technology is primarily a student information system (MyNWS) and physical campus infrastructure including a gymnasium, rooftop sports field, and dormitories. The school supports 35 boarding students and 30 international students on F-1 visas as differentiated segments.
Revenue is generated through annual tuition (day and boarding), the House Fund annual giving campaign, summer camp programming, and grants. Tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed; 40 percent of families receive need-based financial aid. The school is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) and governed by a Board of Trustees; it has no parent company or equity ownership. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via an inquir-apply admissions funnel, campus visits, alumni referrals, and five regional bus routes serving greater Seattle.
The Northwest School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Northwest School
- Legal name
- The Northwest School
- Website
- https://northwestschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Northwest School is an independent, nonprofit private school in Seattle serving 342 students in grades 6-12 through an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum, with the only 5- and 7-day boarding program in Seattle and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Northwest School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Private Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)
Keywords
Where The Northwest School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
The Northwest School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition - Day Students: Tuition revenue from day students in grades 6-12
- Boarding Program: Tuition revenue from boarding students with 5-day and 7-day boarding options. 35 boarding students enrolled.
- The House Fund (Annual Campaign): Annual fundraising campaign supporting academic programs, student wellbeing, facilities, and faculty excellence
- Summer Camp Programs: Summer camp programs including counselor-in-training opportunities
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Day School Tuition |
| Subscription | Annual | Boarding Program Tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Northwest School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Northwest School is a private independent school that delivers an interdisciplinary liberal arts education for grades 6-12 through its Middle School and Upper School programs, complemented by the only boarding program in Seattle with 5-day and 7-day options, a Summer Camp, and comprehensive Arts and Athletics programs. It enrolls 342 students with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and supports families through college counseling, dining, transportation, and a need-based financial aid program serving 40% of enrolled families.
Product overview
The Northwest School is an independent private school offering a unified educational program for grades 6-12. The school provides an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum through its Middle School and Upper School Programs, complemented by a Boarding Program (the only one in Seattle with 5-day and 7-day options), a Summer Camp, and extensive Arts and Athletics programs. Additional support services include College Counseling, Dining Services with sustainable farm-to-table practices, Transportation with five bus routes, and an Environmental Sustainability Program with carbon neutrality goals. The school enrolls 342 students with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and has been ranked #1 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Middle School Program An interdisciplinary program for grades 6-8 grounded in the liberal arts, including humanities, sciences, mathematics, world languages, arts, and physical education; designed for families seeking private middle school education with social justice, global perspective, and sustainability emphases.
- Upper School Program A comprehensive college-preparatory program for grades 9-12 featuring interdisciplinary curriculum, advanced academic pathways, and preparation for higher education through college counseling services; includes a dedicated college counseling class for 11th and 12th graders.
- Boarding Program The only boarding program in Seattle offering both 5-day and 7-day boarding options for students, providing residential life, supervision, and a nurturing dormitory environment. Enrolls 35 boarding students including 30 international students on F-1 visas.
- Summer Camp A summer program offering academic enrichment and recreational activities for students during the summer months, including Counselor in Training (CIT) opportunities, overseen by the Summer Program & Extended Learning Director.
- Athletics Program A comprehensive athletics program offering 13 sports including boys and girls ultimate frisbee, cross country, track and field, basketball, soccer, and volleyball; features state-of-the-art facilities including a gymnasium and rooftop sports field. Program has produced 11 League Championships and 9 State Titles in Boys Ultimate, and 12 League Championships and 6 State Titles in Girls Ultimate.
- Arts Program A robust arts program with 50+ courses covering Visual Arts, Music, Theatre Arts, and Dance; ranked #1 in Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington by Niche (2026).
- College Counseling Comprehensive college guidance services including a dedicated college counseling class for 11th and 12th graders, application support, and college fair participation for Upper School students and families.
- Dining Program A farm-to-table dining program serving fresh, local, and seasonal foods with 62% local produce, featuring global cuisines and allergy-friendly options with an emphasis on sustainability.
- Transportation Services Bus transportation services covering five routes throughout the greater Seattle area (Northwest, Northeast, West Seattle, Southeast, and Eastside) plus public transit guidance, including two all-electric vans.
- Environmental Sustainability Program A longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship since the school's founding in 1980, including carbon neutrality initiatives, electric vehicle adoption, building decarbonization, and student-led Climate Action Team activities. Received a $31,162 Seattle Building Decarbonization Grant in 2025.
- Global Programs International student support, study abroad opportunities, and global perspective initiatives including trips to Costa Rica, Spain, and Taiwan for current students and international student recruitment.
- Student Support Services Academic support including after-school program for middle school students, wellness services, and a school nurse; features a 7:1 student-to-teaching-faculty ratio.
Quantifiable outcome
- #1 Best High Schools for the Arts in Washington (Niche, 2026)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use The Northwest School
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Northwest School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Northwest School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Seattle City Light Fleet Electrification ProgramcorePartnership with Seattle City Light to conduct fleet electrification feasibility study, examine existing buildings for charging infrastructure capacity, and receive 50% rebate on EV chargers for the school's new all-electric transportation vans
- Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE)coreOSE awarded $31,162 Building Decarbonization Grant to fund engineering design for decarbonizing two school buildings as part of the Seattle Building Emissions Navigator program
- University of Washington's Center for an Informed PublicminorFaculty fellowship program with UW's Center for an Informed Public for media literacy education; sponsored by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Northwest School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Charles Wright Academy: Independent day school in Tacoma, Washington serving grades JK-12. Comparable college-prep independent school format targeting Pacific Northwest families with similar tuition positioning.
- University Prep: Independent day school serving grades 6-12 in Seattle with college-prep focus. Comparable in scale, grade span, and target market, competing for Seattle families seeking rigorous private secondary education.
- The Overlake School: Independent day school grades 5-12 in Redmond, Washington. Competes for Eastside Seattle-area families seeking rigorous college-prep private education with strong athletics and STEM.
- The Bush School: Independent K-12 day school in Seattle emphasizing progressive education, social justice, and global perspective. Directly overlaps with Northwest on values-driven curriculum, similar families, and Capitol Hill-area demographics.
- Annie Wright School: Independent day and boarding school in Tacoma, Washington offering grades 5-12 with boarding options. Directly comparable on combined day/boarding model, though located south of Seattle rather than in the city.
- Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart: Independent Catholic day school for grades 5-12 in Bellevue, Washington. Competes for Eastside Seattle families seeking private college-prep secondary education, with shared boarding-adjacent residential life programs.
- Lakeside School: Premier Seattle independent day school grades 5-12 with strong college-preparatory academics and athletics. Competes with Northwest for top college-bound families in the Seattle market and shares the high-achieving, tuition-premium positioning.
- The Bear Creek School: Independent K-12 day school in Redmond, Washington with Christian heritage. Overlaps with Northwest on secondary-level private education for Seattle-area families, though faith-based orientation differs.
- Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS): Seattle-based independent day school serving grades 6-12 with an arts and sciences emphasis. Closest direct competitor to The Northwest School given overlapping urban Capitol Hill/Capitol Hill-adjacent location, similar grades served, and parallel arts-integrated curriculum model.
Broad incumbents
- Phillips Academy Andover: Elite national boarding school in Massachusetts with strong arts and college-prep reputation. Functions as a benchmark peer for Northwest's boarding and arts positioning; many families considering Northwest for residential secondary education also consider Andover, though it operates at vastly greater scale and prestige.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Northwest School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Northwest School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Northwest School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Northwest School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
The Northwest School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Northwest School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Northwest School
What does The Northwest School do?
The Northwest School is a private independent school that delivers an interdisciplinary liberal arts education for grades 6-12 through its Middle School and Upper School programs, complemented by the only boarding program in Seattle with 5-day and 7-day options, a Summer Camp, and comprehensive Arts and Athletics programs. It enrolls 342 students with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and supports families through college counseling, dining, transportation, and a need-based financial aid program serving 40% of enrolled families.
Is The Northwest School a public or private company?
The Northwest School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Northwest School founded?
The Northwest School was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Northwest School based?
The Northwest School is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Northwest School make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition - Day Students are the primary driver. The others are boarding Program, the House Fund (Annual Campaign) and summer Camp Programs.
Who are The Northwest School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Charles Wright Academy, University Prep, The Overlake School, The Bush School, Annie Wright School, Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Lakeside School, The Bear Creek School and Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS). Phillips Academy Andover is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Northwest School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Northwest School.
What industry is The Northwest School in?
The Northwest School's product category is Independent Private Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJABAB, Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.