I met a couple considering a move to the Lynnwood area. They mentioned they were looking for a school with an IB program. I informed them that there is only one school in the Edmonds School District that offers that program, which surprised them. This means there aren't many options available. From my experience observing properties in this neighborhood for decades, it's rare for a move to be so limited by just one school.

The school in question is Edmonds-Woodway High School. It is located a short distance from Lynnwood, accessible via Highway 99. Designated as an IB World School since 1996, it has been offering the IB Diploma Program. This is the only high school in the entire Edmonds School District that provides this program. While there are other high schools in the district, if you want the IB Diploma, you will ultimately be limited to this school's assignment area.

Let's look at the performance. In the US News & World Report rankings for 2025-26, it ranked 66th among 432 high schools in Washington State and 3880th nationwide. In 2005, it produced 8 National Merit Scholarship Finalists, the highest number of any high school in Washington that year. The title of National Merit Finalist is awarded to students with top scores on a national standardized test, so having eight from one school indicates a strong pool of high-achieving students. In 2009, a student from this school was the first to be named a Presidential Scholar.

As a public school, there are no tuition fees. However, the IB program itself is academically rigorous. It's advisable to check if your child is suited for this learning style beforehand. Some families consider expanding their search to private schools in Seattle. However, the perception of commuting distance and time can differ until you actually experience living there. Some neighborhoods in Edmonds are closer to the school's assignment area than Lynnwood itself. The exact assignment can vary by address, so if you have a property in mind, it's best to check directly on the school district's website. Sometimes real estate agents may not know the exact district boundaries.

School district boundaries can change every year. Before securing a home, please verify on the school district's website which high school is assigned to a specific address.

Now, let's look at the housing market. According to RentCafe data from August 2026, the average rent in Lynnwood is $2,119. This is nearly unchanged from $2,120 a year ago. A one-bedroom averages $1,844, a two-bedroom $2,266, and a three-bedroom $2,755. Compared to Seattle's average of $2,238 and Bellevue's average of $2,778, Lynnwood is about $100 to $650 lower. Even within the Seattle metro area, the cost of living can vary significantly based on location. Instead of just choosing the cheaper option based on rent, it's more practical to consider commuting times and distances to schools as well.

For families moving from out of state, it's worth noting that Washington has no personal income tax. However, property taxes and sales taxes vary by region. Especially, sales tax rates differ slightly from city to city, so it's good to factor this into your cost of living calculations. For accurate amounts, it's safest to check with the Snohomish County Tax Department. Families who have just moved from Korea may find this tax structure unfamiliar, but knowing that state taxes are not separately listed on paychecks can make initial adjustments easier.

Choosing a school ultimately depends on your child's learning style. Given the current stability in rental prices, now seems like a reasonable time to consider settling down. Rather than making a hasty decision, I recommend first confirming school assignments and commuting conditions before narrowing down your property options. This article is not investment or legal advice. Please consult with school and real estate professionals before making any applications or contracts.