Phone: 206-252-2304
Fax: 206-252-2271

Contact your student’s Counselor

The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has an 11-Point Grading Scale:

• A: 93-100%
• A-: 90-92%
• B+: 87-89%
• B: 83-86%
• B-: 80-82%
• C+: 77-70%
• C-: 70-72%
• D+: 67-69%
• D: 60-66%
• E: below 60%

Regular courses will be graded on a 4.0 scale.

Honors courses will be graded on a 4.5 grade scale when calculating class rank.

Students who take Running Start or Advanced Placement courses will be ranked according to a 5.0 grade scale in those courses when calculating class rank (i.e. an “A” grade in AP World History will count as a 5.0 GPA in calculating the class rank of the student).

Garfield is an urban four-year high school with a culturally diverse student body and a reputation for rigorous college preparatory classes. About 1,700 students attend the school.

Of the approximately 398 who graduated last year, 69 percent plan to attend four-year colleges and 22 percent plan to attend two-year colleges. School highlights include:

• Numerous Advanced Placement (AP) classes
• Nationally recognized performing arts program
• Award-winning student newspaper and a comprehensive outdoor education program

Garfield consistently has more National Merit finalists than any other public high school in Seattle. Approximately 25% of each grade level at Garfield is made up of students from the Highly Capable program – Seattle Public Schools’ program for academically gifted students.

Advanced Placement

Garfield students make up more than 70% of the SPS students who take Advanced Placement exams. The school offers 18 AP courses, as well as 9 honors courses. Students following the selective-college admissions curriculum typically complete three or four AP classes by the end of their junior year.

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Department provides rich opportunities for students interested in musical performance including marching band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, choir, vocal jazz and drama. The jazz ensemble and symphonic orchestra have earned national and international recognitions. Both have traveled extensively to competitions and festivals, and regularly tour overseas.

Running Start

This program provides eligible junior and senior students the opportunity to attend a community college and earn high school and college credits simultaneously.

Distribution of 2019 Graduates SAT Scores

Score: 700-800
ERW: 109
Math: 82

Score: 600-690
ERW: 123
Math: 110

Score: 500-590
ERW: 56
Math: 86

Score: 400-490
ERW: 77
Math: 69

Score: MEAN
ERW: 597
Math: 580

PSAT / National Merit Results

Category: Finalists
# Students 2018-19: 13
# Students 2019-20: N/A

Category: Semi-Finalists
# Students 2018-19: 13
# Students 2019-20: 9

Category: Hispanic Recognition
# Students 2018-19: 1
# Students 2019-20: N/A

Graduation Requirements (Class of 2020)

All students must meet the following requirements to graduate:

• American Government – 1 semester
• Fine Arts – 2 semesters
• Health – 1 semester
• Language Arts – 8 semesters
• Mathematics – 6 semesters
• Occupational Education – 2 semesters
• Physical Education – 3 semesters
• Science – 4 semesters
• US History – 2 semesters
• World History – 3 semesters
• Electives (any courses beyond the minimum requirments) – 14 semesters
• Community Service Learning, 60 hours
• Meet the Graduation Pathway (SBAC, SAT/ACT, or CTE pathway)
• High School and Beyond Plan (Naviance Activities)