Annie Wright Schools (2026 Profile)

827 N Tacoma Ave
Tacoma, WA 98403

Tel: (253) 284-8603

www.aw.org

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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 #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 Girls Dorm Room - AWS has capacity for 132 boarding students each year

Annie Wright Schools Photo #19 - Upper School for Boys Dorm Room - AWS has capacity for 132 boarding students each year

Annie Wright Schools Photo #20 - AWS campus in the snow

Annie Wright Schools Photo #21 - May Day Celebration of our graduating seniors

Annie Wright Schools Photo #22 - AWS campus in the rain

Annie Wright Schools Photo #23 - Upper School Students

Annie Wright Schools Photo #24 - Upper School for Girls volleyball team. AWS is a 1A school in the Nisqually League

Annie Wright Schools Photo #25 - Upper School for Boys group photo

Annie Wright Schools Photo #26 - Upper School for Girls group photo

Annie Wright Schools Photo #27 - Mount Rainer photo - the mountain is often viewable from Campus & North Tacoma

Annie Wright Schools Photo #28 - Girls class

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 Facts (2026)

Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
Grades: (Day Students) Pre-K-12
Enrollment: 880 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $73,900
Average class size: 17 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 24 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

Annie Wright Schools

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered (Boarding)

9-12

Grades Offered (Day)

Pre-K-12

School Type

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1884

1909

Campus Size

10 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

The school will provide education for the rising generation of daughters of the pioneers, children who will lay a firm foundation for the great state that is to be.

Student Body

Enrollment

880 students

300 students

% Students of Color

48%

25%

% 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

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Formal
Uniform

Casual

Average Class Size

17 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

6.5:1

7:1

Number of IB Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

41%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$32.5 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$73,900
(7-day boarding)

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)

$51,415

$44,000

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

Yes

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 24 / rolling

Jan. 15

Director of Admissions

Cassandra Kopriva
Abby Drivdahl

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Colors

blue and gold

School Mascot

Gator

College Matriculation

View Matriculation Data

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.
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

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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.

When is the application deadline for Annie Wright Schools?

The application deadline for Annie Wright Schools is Jan. 24 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 24 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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