When I sit down with people planning on living in Bothell WA, the conversation almost always turns to education within the first five minutes. It’s a huge driver for our local market, but it can also be a little confusing if you aren’t familiar with the geography.

Bothell is unique because it straddles two counties—King County to the south and Snohomish County to the north. This split defines everything from your property taxes to your utility providers, and most importantly, your school district. While the Northshore School District is the heavy hitter here, it isn’t the only game in town.

Below, I’ve broken down exactly how the school landscape looks for 2026, from the primary public districts and private options to our unique higher education campus.

School Districts Serving Bothell

The most common point of confusion for newcomers is the district boundary lines. You might look at two houses just a few streets apart and find they belong to completely different school systems. This is why checking the specific school assignment for any address is a critical step when looking at Bothell WA real estate market listings.

Northshore School District (NSD) This is the district that serves the vast majority of Bothell residents, along with parts of Kenmore and Woodinville. It is widely recognized across the state for strong test scores and comprehensive extracurricular programs. If you are buying a home in the King County portion of Bothell or the southern tier of the Snohomish side, you are likely in NSD territory.

Everett School District As you move north into the Snohomish County side of Bothell—specifically areas around Thrasher’s Corner and the newer subdivisions leading toward Mill Creek—you enter the Everett School District. This area has seen massive growth over the last decade, meaning the schools here are often newer to accommodate the population boom.

The "Pocket" Districts Because boundaries aren't perfect squares, there are small pockets on the edges of town that might fall into the Lake Washington or Edmonds School Districts. It’s rare, but it happens, which is why we never assume a district based solely on a "Bothell" mailing address.

Top-Rated Public High Schools

High school feeder patterns often dictate demand for specific neighborhoods. In Bothell, the high schools have distinct personalities and academic strengths.

Bothell High School (NSD)

Located right near the revitalized downtown area, Bothell High is the historic heart of the community. There is a lot of multi-generational pride here—it’s not uncommon to find students whose parents also walked these halls. The school is known for a very strong community spirit ("Cougar Pride") and offers a robust selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

North Creek High School (NSD)

North Creek is the newest high school in the district, having opened in the late 2010s to alleviate overcrowding. It serves the northern part of the district and features a very modern campus designed with STEM in mind. The technology infrastructure here is top-tier, and the science pathways attract a lot of students interested in engineering and biotech.

Inglemoor High School (NSD)

While physically located in Kenmore, Inglemoor serves many neighborhoods on the west side of Bothell. It is best known for hosting the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for the district. This rigorous academic track draws students who are looking for a global perspective on their education, and it’s a major draw for specific buyers.

Innovation Lab High School (NSD)

This is one of the district’s "Choice Schools." It offers a smaller environment focused on project-based learning rather than the traditional large-high-school experience. It’s a great option for students who thrive in collaborative settings and want a different approach to their core curriculum.

Notable Elementary and Middle Schools

While high schools get the glory, the K-8 experience is vital for day-to-day life. The elementary schools in Bothell are generally neighborhood-centric, meaning they are often tucked right into residential areas.

On the Everett School District side, schools like Tambark Creek Elementary and Cedar Wood Elementary are significant draws. Tambark Creek, in particular, serves that high-growth northern corridor and is highly regarded by parents in the newer developments.

On the Northshore side, Skyview Middle School and Northshore Middle School are the primary funnels into the local high schools. Parents often inquire about the "Highly Capable" (HiCap) programs offered within NSD, which provide advanced learning plans for qualifying students starting in elementary school.

Private and Charter School Options

If you are relocating to Bothell and prefer independent education, there are several established private institutions within the city limits and just outside.

Cedar Park Christian Schools Cedar Park is a major educational hub in Bothell. Their main campus is massive and serves students from Pre-K all the way through 12th grade. It is affiliated with the Assembly of God and is one of the largest private Christian schools in the region, offering a full range of athletics and arts alongside the religious curriculum.

Providence Classical Christian School For families interested in the classical education model—focusing on grammar, logic, rhetoric, and Latin—Providence is a key local option. It is a K-12 school that emphasizes a traditional liberal arts approach through a biblical worldview.

Woodinville Montessori School Despite the name, this school has a significant campus in Bothell. It is somewhat unique in the Montessori world because it offers programs extending into high school, allowing students to continue self-directed learning well past the elementary years.

Higher Education: UW Bothell & Cascadia College

One of the biggest assets to the community is the shared campus of the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College. Located just off I-405, this campus isn't just for degree-seekers; it’s a community fixture.

The partnership between the university and the community college is seamless. They share facilities, including the library and the impressive Innovation Hall, which opened back in 2024. This building is a powerhouse for STEM education, housing joint chemistry, biology, and engineering labs that serve students from both institutions.

For local homeowners with high schoolers, the Running Start program here is a massive financial benefit. Juniors and seniors can take college-level courses at Cascadia or UW Bothell tuition-free, often graduating high school with an Associate's degree already in hand.

Beyond academics, the campus is famous for its wetlands. The universities restored a massive stretch of the North Creek wetlands, which now serves as both a living laboratory for environmental science students and a beautiful walking area for locals.

Transportation & After-School Logistics

Understanding the logistics of the school run is crucial before buying. Bothell traffic, particularly along the Bothell-Everett Highway and the I-405 interchanges, can be heavy during morning and afternoon peaks.

Busing and Commutes Both Northshore and Everett School Districts provide standard yellow bus service for students outside walking zones. However, if you are utilizing a "Choice School" or a private school, you will likely need to arrange your own transportation. When looking at homes for sale in Bothell, pay attention to where the property sits relative to the school to estimate your commute—miles don't always equal minutes here.

After-School Support Because Bothell is a commuter-heavy area, after-school care is well-established. The Northshore YMCA and local Boys & Girls Clubs have strong partnerships with the districts, often providing on-site care or shuttle services to their facilities.

Walkability Downtown Bothell is becoming increasingly walkable, and some students there can easily walk to Bothell High. However, in the northern subdivisions (Thrasher’s Corner area), the layout is much more car-dependent, and walking to school is less common due to the busy arterials.

Common Questions About Bothell Schools

Which school district is better, Northshore or Everett?

Both districts maintain strong reputations in the state. Northshore is generally ranked in the top tier of Washington districts, but the schools in the Everett district serving Bothell (like Cedar Wood) also have excellent test scores. It usually comes down to the specific house you love rather than avoiding one district over the other.

Does Bothell have an International Baccalaureate (IB) program?

Yes. The IB program for the Northshore School District is housed at Inglemoor High School. Students zoned for Bothell High or North Creek High can apply to transfer to Inglemoor if they wish to pursue the full IB diploma.

Can I attend a school outside my designated boundary in Bothell?

It is possible but not guaranteed. The districts use a waiver system, and approval depends entirely on space availability. Some schools are closed to waivers entirely due to capacity issues, so you should never buy a home assuming a waiver will be approved.

What colleges are located in Bothell?

Bothell is home to the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College. They share a single campus near the downtown area. UW Bothell offers four-year and graduate degrees, while Cascadia focuses on two-year transfer degrees and professional certificates.