Annie Wright Schools Photo #11 - AWS campus in the fall

Annie Wright Schools

827 N Tacoma Ave
Tacoma, WA 98403
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Annie Wright Schools Photo #1 - Annie Wright Schools, located in Tacoma, WA serves students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Our upper schools program provides boarding for 9-12th students and a co-educational model of classroom learning
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Annie Wright Schools Photo #1 - Annie Wright Schools, located in Tacoma, WA serves students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Our upper schools program provides boarding for 9-12th students and a co-educational model of classroom learning
Annie Wright Schools Photo #2 - Upper School for Boys Step & Sing Tradition - one of the many student traditions on our campus
Annie Wright Schools Photo #3 - All AWS grade representation kindergarten - seniors. AWS offers preschool-seniors, but boarding for 9-12
Annie Wright Schools Photo #4 - Upper School for Girls science class. AWS is the only school in Washington with a full IB program pre-K through 12
Annie Wright Schools Photo #5 - Main entrance to campus with a group field trip out front
Annie Wright Schools Photo #6 - Chomp the Gator - AWS school mascot, cheers on kids at our annual May Day celebration recognizing our seniors
Annie Wright Schools Photo #7 - Upper School for Boys Football Team gets instruction before a play. AWS is a 1A school in the Nisqually League
Annie Wright Schools Photo #8 - Upper School for Boys science class
Annie Wright Schools Photo #9
Annie Wright Schools Photo #10 - Orchestra students practicing during the morning. AWS offers 0 hour orchestra and Varsity Arts after school programming
Annie Wright Schools Photo #11 - Upper School for Girls graduation
Annie Wright Schools Photo #12 - AWS campus in the fall
Annie Wright Schools Photo #13 - Arts classroom at AWS
Annie Wright Schools Photo #14 - AWS Pool - this space is used for classes in the lower school, but offers open swim times to the upper school
Annie Wright Schools Photo #15 - Upper School for Girls Soccer Team. AWS is a 1A school in the Nisqually League
Annie Wright Schools Photo #16 - Upper Schools students in the New Academic Building using a lounge space
Annie Wright Schools Photo #17 - Upper Schools theatre production - AWS has 3 productions each year, an Upper School, Middle School, and All School
Annie Wright Schools Photo #18 - Upper School for Boys Class
Annie Wright Schools Photo #19 - Upper School for Girls Dorm Room - AWS has capacity for 132 boarding students each year
Annie Wright Schools Photo #20 - Upper School for Boys Dorm Room - AWS has capacity for 132 boarding students each year
Annie Wright Schools Photo #21 - AWS campus in the snow
Annie Wright Schools Photo #22 - AWS Girls walk down a hallway near the Upper School for Girls lounge space
Annie Wright Schools Photo #23 - Upper School for Girls class
Annie Wright Schools Photo #24 - May Day Celebration of our graduating seniors
Annie Wright Schools Photo #25 - AWS campus in the rain
Annie Wright Schools Photo #26 - Upper School Students
Annie Wright Schools Photo #27 - Upper School for Girls volleyball team. AWS is a 1A school in the Nisqually League
Annie Wright Schools Photo #28 - Upper School for Boys group photo
Annie Wright Schools Photo #29 - Upper School for Girls group photo
Annie Wright Schools Photo #30 - Mount Rainer photo - the mountain is often viewable from Campus & North Tacoma
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 Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) Pre-K-12
  • Enrollment: 822 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $73,900
  • Average class size: 17 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 25 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School News

  • 2024 grad sought father’s approval, but found his own path - 06/15/2024
    Adwaya Bage's father treasured his boarding school years in his native India and wanted his son to have a similar experience at Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma. The small boarding ...moreschool gave Bage, 18, the opportunity to be independent and learn who he was. hide
  • Announcing the IB Global Alliance - 11/17/2023
    The nature of the IB program provides rich soil for cross-school collaboration, and we are eager to delve into these spaces as we build relationships with other IB partners across ...morethe globe hide

Top Rankings

Annie Wright Schools ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
Annie Wright Schools
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
8-12
Grades Offered (Day)
Pre-K-12
PK-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1884
1906
Campus Size
10 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
822 students
315 students
% Students of Color
48%
26%
% International Students
12%
20%
% Students Boarding
16%
70%
Average SAT Score
1447
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
36
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniform
Casual
Average Class Size
17 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
7:1
Number of IB Courses Offered
56
-
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
41%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$32.5 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$73,900
(7-day boarding)
$66,250
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
n/a
$35,600
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$51,415
$49,400
Summer Program Cost
$165
(Costs listed are per week and vary depending on the program.)
% Students on Financial Aid
39%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$15,900
(Need based aid requires Clarity application)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Jan. 25 / rolling
Jan. 15
Director of Admissions
Cassandra Kopriva
Abby Drivdahl

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
24
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
affinity clubs (including Latinx/Hispanic, Chinese, Japanese, & Vietnamese), Automotive Arts, Black Student Union, Business, Coding, Community, Creative Writing, Crochet, Dance Team, Debate, Dungeons & Dragons, Gender & Sexuality, Inkwell student magazine, Investment, Knitting, Mock Trial, Model UN, Nature, Philosophy, Physics, Sports Medicine, Stage Fashion, STEM, Student Government

College Matriculation

Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)

School Notes

     
  • 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 Private school in Washington, #1 Boarding School in Washington, and #3 most diverse Private school in Washington. 
  • As an International 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 Puget Sound. Our programs cater to students interests, ensuring a personalized journey of discovery, all within the supportive environment of our boarding school community. 
  • Annie Wright Schools accreditations: NWAIS, IB, TABS, ICGS, ICBS, NAIS
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Betty Garrett-Parks, '36 - Actress, comedian, singer & dancer
    • Mary McCarthy - Author
    • Eloise Mumford - Actress
    • Sally (Peterson) Atherton, '66 - ED, Assoc for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology
    • Diane (Dapper) Freeman, '59 - NASA aerospace ops dev, integration & support
    • Damani Leech, '90 (Middle School) - President, Denver Broncos
    • Amy Paulose, '95 - President, AMES International, Inc
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Annie Wright Schools cost?
Annie Wright Schools's tuition is approximately $73,900 for boarding students.
Who are famous alumni from Annie Wright Schools?
Annie Wright Schools famous alumni include: Betty Garrett-Parks, '36, Mary McCarthy, Eloise Mumford, Sally (Peterson) Atherton, '66, Diane (Dapper) Freeman, '59, Damani Leech, '90 (Middle School) and Amy Paulose, '95.
What sports does Annie Wright Schools offer?
Annie Wright Schools offers 9 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is Annie Wright Schools's ranking?
Annie Wright Schools ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High average SAT scores and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Annie Wright Schools?
The application deadline for Annie Wright Schools is Jan. 25 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 25 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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