For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 2,481 students in Jefferson County, WA (there are 3 private schools, serving 232 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, WA are Port Townsend High School, Brinnon Elementary School and Salish Coast Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, WA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Port Townsend High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1500 Van Ness St
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4520
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4520
Gr: 9-12 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #22.
Brinnon Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
46 Schoolhouse Rd
Brinnon, WA 98320
(360) 796-4646
Brinnon, WA 98320
(360) 796-4646
Gr: K-8 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Salish Coast Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1637 Grant St
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 680-5706
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 680-5706
Gr: PK-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
Partnership For Excellence In Alternative Remote Learning
Alternative School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
294715 Us Highway 101
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-3363
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-3363
Gr: K-8 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Chimacum Junior/senior High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
91 West Valley Rd
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5900
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5900
Gr: 7-12 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Chimacum Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
91 West Valley Rd
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5855
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5855
Gr: 2-6 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Blue Heron Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3939 San Juan Ave
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 680-5661
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 680-5661
Gr: 6-8 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
Ocean
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3939 San Juan Ave.
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 680-5750
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 680-5750
Gr: K-12 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #99.
Quilcene High And Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
294715 Highway 101
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-3363
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-3363
Gr: PK-12 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1010.
Pi Program
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
91 West Valley Rd
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5855
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5855
Gr: K-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
313 Ness Corner Rd
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5820
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5820
Gr: PK-1 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
Open Doors Reengagement Program
Alternative School
91 West Valley Rd
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5900
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5900
Gr: 9-12
Jefferson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
91 West Valley Rd
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5944
Chimacum, WA 98325
(360) 302-5944
Gr: 6-8 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Crossroads Community School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
294715 Us Highway 101
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-3363
Quilcene, WA 98376
(360) 765-3363
Gr: 9-12
1919 Blaine Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4530
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-4530
Gr: 1-6 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Port Townsend Special Education (Closed 2014)
Special Education School
3939 San Juan Ave
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 385-3617
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 385-3617
Gr: PK-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, WA?
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, WA include Port Townsend High School, Brinnon Elementary School and Salish Coast Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Jefferson County?
12 public schools are located in Jefferson County.
What percentage of students in Jefferson County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Jefferson County include: Salish Coast Elementary School vs. Blue Heron Middle School, Port Townsend High School vs. Chimacum Junior/senior High School, Chimacum Junior/senior High School vs. Port Townsend High School
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
