Maltby Elementary

Tucked into the semi-rural outskirts of Snohomish County, Maltby Elementary sits in one of those sweet spots where the Pacific Northwest's wide-open spaces meet a surprisingly strong academic program — landing in the top quarter of Washington schools for English in particular. Families drawn to the area tend to love the slower pace, the acreage, and the sense of community that comes with a smaller school serving a tight-knit corner of Monroe School District. If you're settling into the Maltby or Monroe area and want solid academics without the hustle of a more suburban setting, this school is well worth a close look.