Washington State has one principal boarding school: Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma, an IB World School with separate upper schools for girls and boys, charging approximately $65,000 per year in 2026. Seattle and the Eastside are day school markets, so most Washington families considering boarding look regionally.
Key facts about Washington boarding schools
- Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma is the state’s main boarding option.
- Boarding tuition runs approximately $65,000 per year for 2025–26.
- Annie Wright is an IB World School offering the full IB Diploma Programme.
- It operates separate upper schools for girls and boys on one campus.
- Seattle’s leading independent schools — Lakeside, Bush, Seattle Academy — are day schools only.
Annie Wright Schools
| School | City | Type | Boarding tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annie Wright Schools | Tacoma | Separate girls’ and boys’ upper schools, 9–12 | ~$65,000 | IB World School; founded 1884 |
Annie Wright, founded in 1884, runs an unusual structure: a coeducational lower and middle school feeding two separate single-sex upper schools on the same campus. Boarding students enroll in the upper schools and take the IB Diploma Programme.
The IB matters here practically. For families whose children may apply to universities outside the US, the IB Diploma is recognized in more than 100 countries, while AP coursework is read most fluently by American admissions offices — the distinction is covered in international boarding schools. The single-sex upper school structure is discussed further in all-girls and all-boys boarding schools.
Pacific Northwest alternatives
With one significant in-state option, Washington families building a list of six to ten schools necessarily look further afield. Oregon adds one more regional option, and California holds the largest West Coast cluster — Thacher, Cate, Webb, and Stevenson — within a short flight.
List construction across selectivity tiers is covered in boarding school acceptance rates. All states: best boarding schools by state.
Washington boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Washington State?
Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma is Washington's principal boarding school, offering the IB Diploma with separate upper schools for girls and boys and boarding tuition near $65,000. Washington has few other boarding options; Seattle and Bellevue are day school markets.
How much does Annie Wright cost?
Annie Wright Schools charges approximately $65,000 per year for boarding students in 2025–26, with day tuition substantially lower. The school offers need-based financial aid through the standard SSS/PFS process used by most US independent schools.
Does Annie Wright offer the IB?
Yes. Annie Wright Schools is an IB World School offering the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in its upper schools — useful for families targeting universities outside the United States, where the IB is more widely recognized than AP coursework.
Are there boarding schools near Seattle?
Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma is roughly 35 miles south of Seattle and is the closest boarding option. Seattle itself has no significant boarding schools — its strongest independent schools, including Lakeside and Bush, are day schools.
Sources
- Annie Wright Schools: published tuition, boarding, and IB programme data.
- International Baccalaureate Organization: IB World School directory.
- Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS): regional school directory.