Annie Wright Schools are located in beautiful Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school.
Annie Wright Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool-Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9-12. Five- and seven-day boarding options attract students from around the world.
AWS is proud to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, delivering IB programs in every division.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked WA School
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
- Enrollment: 902 students
- Yearly Tuition: $37,520
- Average class size: 14 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 24 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Annie Wright Schools ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
ACT Score
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Overview
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1884
Colors
Navy Blue, Gold
Campus Size
10 acres
Student Body
Total Students
902 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
68%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
116 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
73%
Average Class Size
14 students
Number of AP/Advanced Courses
20 courses
AP/Advanced Courses
IB 20th Century History SL & HLIB Art SL & HL
IB Biology 1IB Biology 2
IB BusinessIB Computer Science
IB EconomicsIB English IV: Language & Literature 1
IB English IV: Language & Literature 2IB Environmental Science and Systems
IB Global Politics 1 & 2IB Mandarin AB Initio SL
IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL & HLIB Math Applications and Interpretations
IB Music SL or HLIB Physics
IB Spanish AB initio SLIB Spanish SL 1 & 2
Average SAT score
1316
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
34
(Out of 36)
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 24 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$37,520
Tuition Notes
Listed tuition is for day students in grades 9-12. Please visit our website for tuition information:
% on Financial Aid
40%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$14,580
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Director
Grace Franco
Admissions Associate
Abby Drivdahl
Application URL
Endowment Size
$36.8 million
Sports
Total Sports Offered
8 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
30 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Affinity clubs (including Latinx/Hispanic, Chinese, Japanese, & Vietnamese)Automotive Arts
Black Student UnionBusiness
CodingCommunity
Creative WritingCrochet
Dance TeamDebate
Dungeons & DragonsEnvironmental Science
Gender & SexualityInkwell
KnittingMock Trial
Model UNNature
PhilosophyPhysics
PodcastingSports Medicine
Stage FashionStudent Government
Yearbook
Arts and Music Programs:
FilmmakingMusic Production
OrchestraTheatre
Visual Arts
School Notes
- School Motto: From Strength to Strength
- School Mascot: Gators
- At Annie Wright, we celebrate each student's unique strengths and learning style and we also recognize that boys and girls often learn differently. Our Upper School program offers a coordinate model that enables boys and girls in Grades 9-12 to study in a single-gender academic environment with opportunities for shared co-ed activities and social interactions outside of the classroom.
- Annie Wright Schools is rated #1 Best K-12 草榴社区 school in Washington, #1 Boarding School in Washington, and #3 most diverse 草榴社区 school in Washington.
- As anInternational Baccalaureate (IB World School)with an emphasis on inquiry, communication, meaningful action, and global-mindedness Annie Wright Schools develop the whole student with measurable outcomes for students and teachers throughout IB programs.
- As one of less than 20 IB continuum schools in the United States, and the only one in the state of Washington, Annie Wright offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Preschool-Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6-8 and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11-12.
- Annie Wright's Great Outdoor Adventure Team Program (GOAT)encourages students to immerse themselves in the extraordinatory outdoors of the Pacific Northwest with transformative programs throughout the academic year. Experience the thrill of white water rafting, summit Mt. St. Helens, master rock climbing, and earn certificates along the way. Students explore Mount Rainter and Olympic National parks, dozens of state recreation areas, forests, and the Puget Sound. Our programs cater to students interests, ensuring a personalized journey of discovery, all within the supportive environment of our boarding school community.
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Sally (Peterson) Atherton, '66 - ED, Assoc for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology
- Diane (Dapper) Freeman, '59 - NASA aerospace ops dev, integration & support
- Betty Garrett-Parks, '36 - Actress, comedian, singer & dancer
- Damani Leech, '90 (Middle School) - President, Denver Broncos
- Amy Paulose, '95 - President, AMES International, Inc
- Merrill (Wagner) Ryman, '97 - World-renowned artist
- Lee Skinner, '86 - Dean, Newcomb-Tulane College; Latin Am lit scholar
- Erin (Fletcher) Slayton, 97 - Vice President, HDR
- Pamela Hyde Smith, '63 - United States Ambassador
- Mary (McCarthy) West, '29 - American novelist, critic and political activist
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Annie Wright Schools cost?
Annie Wright Schools's tuition is approximately $37,520 for private students.
Who are famous alumni from Annie Wright Schools?
Annie Wright Schools famous alumni include: Sally (Peterson) Atherton, '66, Diane (Dapper) Freeman, '59, Betty Garrett-Parks, '36, Damani Leech, '90 (Middle School), Amy Paulose, '95, Merrill (Wagner) Ryman, '97, Lee Skinner, '86, Erin (Fletcher) Slayton, 97, Pamela Hyde Smith, '63 and Mary (McCarthy) West, '29.
What sports does Annie Wright Schools offer?
Annie Wright Schools offers 8 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. Annie Wright Schools is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Washington for most sports offered.
What is Annie Wright Schools's ranking?
Annie Wright Schools ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Washington for: Highest average ACT score, Highest percentage of students of color, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for Annie Wright Schools?
The application deadline for Annie Wright Schools is Jan. 24 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 24 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
In what neighborhood is Annie Wright Schools located?
Annie Wright Schools is located in the North End neighborhood of Tacoma, WA. There are 1 other private schools located in North End.
School Calendar
View the Annie Wright Schools below.
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The nearest high school to Annie Wright Schools is Nw School Of Innovative Learning (1.3 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is Saint Patrick Catholic School (0.2 miles away)
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Miles
Quick Facts
7723 Chambers Creek Rd W University Place
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 620-8373
University Place, WA 98467
(253) 620-8373
6.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 578 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 47 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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(253) 952-3111
Tacoma, WA 98422
(253) 952-3111
3.1 miles
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Life Academy of Puget Sound
(Christian)
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(253) 839-7378
Federal Way, WA 98023
(253) 839-7378
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Gr: PK-12 | 126 students Avg. class size: 17 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2300 S Washington St
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(253) 752-7701
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 752-7701
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Imagination School
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(253) 535-2522
Tacoma, WA 98444
(253) 535-2522
10.1 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 14 students
School Reviews
5 4/23/2021
We love it here! The Annie Wright community rocks: the teachers are absolutely amazing and sometimes it feels as if they know my boys better than I. While the historic building and uniforms seem formal, there is a relaxed and informal environment - totally focused on helping kids learn and achieve success by exploring whatever makes them tick. We love the IB program, the fact that sports are all offered right on campus (including swim as part of PE in the lower grades), and there are overnight trips starting in 4th grade. It's amazing and seems to get better every day. Love this school!
5 3/20/2021
My niece attended AW several years ago, as a boarding student. She has since graduated from college and has started a company that sells up-cycled clothing, and styles her clients as well. I have also known friends and patients that have attended there, and rave about the school. I am a healthcare provider, working in mental health, and specialize in the treatment of adolescents. My impression has been that this is a school who fosters success for each individual.
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