Roosevelt High School

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

We are so lucky to have this school in our neighborhood!!

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: June 21, 2021

My child thrived at Roosevelt. She had several dynamic teachers who engaged her academic curiosity, and she found her cohort in a large, supportive group of theater kids. Being a large public high school, Roosevelt won't be the right fit for every student - no school can be. But Roosevelt benefits from having a lot of engaged parents in an affluent part of the city, with resources from the University of Washington nearby. The light-rail station across the street (opening fall 2021) will make it easier for students from other parts of the city to get there.

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

We have invested in our child at Roosevelt. Bringing in a private tutor and social pod of friends in pandemic. Teachers have generally been excellent and open to our engagement with them. Although We do not agree with much of the political indoctrination that comes from some of the course content, this has certainly provided for rich dialogue with our child. Roosevelt is not easy. It’s not quick. But it does present a rich fabric for young people to draw from. It has taken understanding and patience to access these resources but our sophomore teen male child has visibly and mentally benefited as he has grown and matured. Overall: Very Satisfied thus far....

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: February 15, 2021

Posted: December 2, 2019

Posted: December 2, 2019

Posted: December 2, 2019

Posted: December 2, 2019

Posted: December 2, 2019

My son transferred to this school for a semester and most of the teachers are out of their element during classes. The World Literature and Comp Sci teacher in particular have a cold attitude towards students and don't take an interest in student growth.

Posted: December 2, 2019

Posted: December 2, 2019

Terrible teachers and school atmosphere for students to spend key years of their lives in. There is no effort to integrate students who are new to the community and staff is partially weak in diversity training.

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

My son has a legitimate diagnosed learning difference. Most teachers do not know, do not care, do not even understand his learning issues.

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: September 19, 2019

A struggle. If your kid doesn't need a teacher - just a place to socialize and get good grades than it's probably an alright school. And yes, we did discuss switching schools but friends were important so we're sticking it out for now.

Posted: September 19, 2019

There is not a consistent or enlightened approach to homework. Some classes have lots of busy work that get a stamp - not clear if it's even read. The technology used is not very good, not used by all teachers and impossible to know for sure what's due and when.

Posted: September 19, 2019

In general communication with the teachers is bad. Some will respond to email but many don't. A few will reach out if your child is struggling or grades slip but most just let them fail. For classes with a TA/intern, it can be worse because the classroom teacher is checked out and the kids are left to figure it out.

Posted: September 19, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Posted: July 18, 2019

Our experience has been very positive and we feel fortunate to have such a great school in the neighborhood.

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Absolutely not. I had to contact the school mulitple times to help with my child that had ADD. I feel they really failed him.

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

Posted: May 29, 2019

I contacted many of my students teachers and many times they wouldn't get back to me.

Posted: May 29, 2019

I was very disappointed with this school and ultimately took my child out of it. The counselor was overloaded. Kids would skip school but just roam the halls. If you are a high achiever, Roosevelt might be fine but if your child stuggles do NOT enroll him or her in this school.

Posted: August 31, 2017

Posted: August 31, 2017

Posted: August 31, 2017

Posted: August 31, 2017

Posted: August 31, 2017

Posted: August 31, 2017

Posted: August 31, 2017

My daughters have both found Roosevelt to be very welcoming and the academic environment is excellent. I went to a challenging public high school and felt over-prepared for the UW. After just her freshman year, my daughter could have been successful in UW classes--doing work at a level I didn't do until my junior and senior years in high school. I've never encountered an LA teacher anywhere who is as extraordinary as Mr. Masaoka. Physical Science, French, Biology, Photography, Math, Business--so many excellent teachers, I can't name them all here. My only complaint is that there is a crushing amount of homework at times, but last year the teachers made an effort to avoid homework over the breaks so kids could spend time with friends and family. I can't understand why a parent would pay for a private school if they are in the Roosevelt district? The school is big enough to have a wide array of diverse clubs and activities including nationally recognized band and drama. You really can't beat it.

Posted: August 15, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2017

Posted: August 15, 2017

Terrible terrible experience! a good school for band/drama kids or any kids coming from a big feeder middle school, if your not quite sure about going to roosevelt I would recommend looking into another school such as ingrahm or hale which are both smaller with much less of a cutthroat social scene. Some of my teachers were good but others were awful and whenever I went to the counselor to try to change anything I was met with the standard response of "oh sorry we can't do anything to help you". There's so much drinking and sex at this school, much more then average. All the kids are stuck up, and make no effort to talk to anyone new.

Posted: January 7, 2017

Posted: January 7, 2017

Posted: January 7, 2017

Posted: January 7, 2017

Posted: January 7, 2017

Posted: January 7, 2017

Posted: January 7, 2017

This is a great school. My kids have had a lot of success here.

Posted: October 13, 2016

Posted: October 13, 2016

This school also has a special needs dept to assist with learning differences and concerns.

Posted: October 13, 2016

This school has very strong leadership in a multitude of areas.
It helps students take part in the leadership and functioning of the school programs.

Posted: October 13, 2016

Many programs and policies are integrated, to highlight positive student attitudes and involvement in community efforts.

Posted: October 13, 2016

Teachers are highly motivated and it reflects in their courses.
Contact with teachers is always possible, if there are questions.

Posted: October 13, 2016

Many courses have homework listed way ahead of time, so that if students will be out, or want to move ahead, they can do so. It helps with students who work, have other commitments, so that they can arrange their homework around other activities and responsibilities.

Posted: October 13, 2016

A truly excellent Engineering dept. run by a highly experienced professional in the field. Along with Computer Science, the corresponding clubs offer exceptional taps into the industries, along with guest speakers, class trips, etc. Much is available to keep students involved and on track. Other programs and clubs offer equivalent direction, for students wishing to take part.
Highly motivated teachers, that show their enthusiasm to educate.
This is a large Seattle school, and parent(s) involvement should be a MUST & a KEY factor in keeping students motivated and in touch with educators and offerings, as in any school your child attends.
I make sure I meet ALL my child's teachers & couselors, and keep in contact throughout the year, inquiring about programs, policies, etc.
Roosevelt is highly recommended for its excellent staff, courses, and student involvement and spirit.

Posted: April 18, 2016

Posted: April 18, 2016

Posted: April 18, 2016

Posted: April 18, 2016

I wish to echo other comments about how easy drug use access is at this school.

Bullying, gun threats, and extremely poor supervision is also the norm at this highly rated high school. The only reason, as far as I can tell, that this school has a high rating is because when your child has trouble in school, most parents in this affluent neighborhood can afford tutors (this is what we had to do because of a truly awful math teacher).

We moved into this neighborhood after reviewing stats and such on schools so that our child could go to Roosevelt. DO NOT make the same mistake that we did. This is not the school you want your child to go to.

Lastly, the so called fabulous orchestra program is the worst I have ever seen.

Posted: April 23, 2014

This is my son's first year at Roosevelt and I've been very impressed with his teachers, his counselor, his coaches and the staff in the offices are friendly and open to questions that we have as new HS parents. My son is really happy here, doing well academically and in sports. I'm also really pleased to say that he's also enjoying drama and marketing classes that they offer - all of which support a well rounded education.

Posted: April 21, 2014

As a brand new student at Roosevelt, it was extremely difficult for me to make friends and find my place. People are polite but distant and exclusive, which makes for a rough year if you aren't from Seattle. Of the five other people I know who have moved to Roosevelt from a different state or country, every single one of them had an AWFUL first year, and two went through phases of depression. However, the second year is always better. On the up side, the music and drama programs are EXCELLENT and there are many great opportunities at Roosevelt such as the Hands for Bridge program etc.

Posted: May 3, 2013

This is a great school if you want your children to have easy access to drugs and alcohol at and around school. This school has the highest official use in the district and the official numbers are low! A permissive admistration and the relative afluence of the student population make this school a favorite for dealers. Roosevelt high test scores are misleading as their is a sizeable percentage of the student population that were simply not included in the numbers. I am not sure why but the district was allowed to leave certain low performing populations of students out when they comiled their official performance statistics. Unless you have a lot of personal resources and time to commit to your children's education this school is a poor choice.