Tops K-8 School

475 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 8th

School Overview

Tops K-8 School, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, is a distinctive public school known for its emphasis on community, project-based learning, and a non-traditional educational philosophy. Unlike many conventional schools, Tops K-8 fosters a strong sense of partnership between students, staff, and families, often described as a tight-knit "small school" environment within the Seattle Public Schools district. The curriculum prioritizes integrated, hands-on learning experiences that encourage critical thinking and social-emotional growth, allowing students to remain in the same school community from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school is highly regarded for its commitment to inclusive practices and its focus on developing the "whole child." Because it is a K-8 institution, it provides a stable environment that allows for long-term mentorship and deeper relationships between teachers and students. Tops K-8 is frequently noted for its active parent involvement and its emphasis on social justice and community service, reflecting the diverse and progressive values of the surrounding Seattle neighborhood.

475

Total Students

29.5

Full-Time Teachers

16.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

27.4%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Tops K-8 School
Demographic	Student Count
White	205
Hispanic	36
Black	67
Asian	78
Two or More	84
American Indian	1
Pacific Islander	2

White
205 (43.3 %)
Two or More
84 (17.8 %)
Asian
78 (16.5 %)
Black
67 (14.2 %)
Hispanic
36 (7.6 %)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.4 %)
American Indian
1 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Alternative School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Seattle School District No. 1
Phone:	(206)252-3510
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 8th
Total Students:	475
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	29.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	102
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	28

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 48

Grade 1 49

Grade 2 42

Grade 3 50

Grade 4 56

Grade 5 55

Grade 6 57

Grade 7 60

Grade 8 58

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Tops K-8 School
Grade	Student Count
Kindergarten	48
Grade 1	49
Grade 2	42
Grade 3	50
Grade 4	56
Grade 5	55
Grade 6	57
Grade 7	60
Grade 8	58

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Tops K-8 School
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	234	49.3%
Male	239	50.3%
Not Specified	2	0.4%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)