Lakeridge Elementary School

Lakeridge Elementary sits on Mercer Island, a small, affluent community in the middle of Lake Washington that feels like its own little world — connected to Seattle and Bellevue by bridge, but with a tight-knit, small-town vibe that's hard to find this close to two major cities. Academic expectations here are genuinely high, with English and math scores ranking among the very best in Washington state, making it a natural fit for families who prioritize rigorous learning in a supportive setting. If you're drawn to a place where neighbors know each other, kids bike to school, and the community takes education seriously, Mercer Island — and Lakeridge — tends to check a lot of boxes.