Deep roots meet soaring possibilities at Overlake, where we thrive together as a community.

Students find their place at an independent school that embraces them as they are.

Resting just outside Seattle, Washington, The Overlake School is where bright minds and big hearts come together on a journey of discovery. Our campus isn't just a feast for the eyes—it's alive and ripe with possibility.

At Overlake, we believe education should be a joyful adventure. Yes, our academics are strong, but that merely scratches the surface of who we are. Here, you'll find artists and athletes, coders and climbers, all sharing the same paths through our wooded campus. We're creating well-rounded graduates who don't just succeed—they soar, bringing their whole selves to a world that needs them and their gifts.

The moment you step onto our campus…

You’ll immediately feel it: a nice embrace, an invite to belong, and the gentle call of purpose. We're adventurous yet grounded, challenging yet supportive, and always connected to what matters most: helping young changemakers find themselves and their passions.

Oh, and you might notice our friendly owl mascot keeping a watchful eye over our campus (yes, we do love our owl puns… you'll hear plenty of "hoots" of celebration around here).

Like the trails that wind throughout our 75-acre plot, we understand that each student's path is unique. It’s a privilege to walk alongside them, providing the guidance, encouragement, and support they need to find their way.

This is Overlake—where joyful discovery meets limitless growth, and every day brings new journeys worth sharing.

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Gretchen Warner headshot Gretchen Warner Head of School
Where We Stand & Where We’re Headed

A few words from our Head of School…

Overlake was founded on the principles of student-centered education, lifelong learning, and close, personal relationships.

While the School looks very different than it did when it first opened in 1967, these core principles are as true today as they were then. Learning at Overlake is a spectacular and joyful endeavor, and this is matched by the beauty of the bucolic campus.

Among the many things that drew me to Overlake is the school's identity as a community full of collaborative thinkers and change-makers with courage and conviction to contribute to positive impacts in the world. This vision, coupled with the steadfast attention to the balance between a challenging and engaging academic program and the wellness of each student, is electrifying and puts Overlake at the leading edge of independent school education.

We believe students can learn deeply and achieve greatly without sacrificing their well-being. Students at Overlake are seen, cared for, and known by faculty, staff, advisors, and coaches who care for all aspects of the students’ development. Overlake’s dedicated and talented faculty are central to a student’s experience. As lead learners, Overlake faculty iterate and adapt their practice. By doing so, faculty ensure students are learning at the highest levels and can transfer their knowledge and grow their skills.

As the School continues its 58th year, I am honored to be a part of this incredible community that centers students in all discussions, ideas, and decisions. This ensures we continue to not only meet their needs, but also evolve as a school, ensuring the Overlake experience is relevant, challenging, and joyful for generations of students to come.

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Our Purpose & Promise

Creating tomorrow's leaders by cultivating today's changemakers.

At Overlake, we ignite curiosity, celebrate excellence, and foster compassion—all while having quite the adventure along the way. Simply put, we’re about helping students (AKA our owls) fully become themselves—flaws and all; thoughtful, kind humans who are ready to make their mark on the world. Here, your child will develop not just the smarts for college and beyond, but also the heart and soul to use those smarts for good.

Learning isn't only about what’s in textbooks; it's also about students getting their hands dirty and connecting to the real world around us.

We believe in a balance that goes beyond mixing different subjects into a curriculum. It's about weaving together new experiences, celebrating all identities, and nurturing several passions. Here, students are encouraged to be both the athlete and the artist, the coder and the poet, and the leader who knows when to listen.

On our campus, we're building something special together: a place where respect, trust, and possibility thrive—where students are truly seen for who they are, challenged to stretch further, and supported every step of the way. This isn't just what we teach, mind you; it's how we live, breathe, and grow together.

Students are at the heart of everything we do, and Overlake is a community where wellbeing, deep connections, and purpose drive discovery—because education is an adventure.

At Overlake, each day is an invitation to explore, create, and become.

Your child will step beyond the familiar and into a world of opportunity. Students hike through actual forests, reach out to communities near and far, or dive into neighborhood connections right here in Redmond. This is where young explorers expand their understanding and discover who they are.

Overlake thrives on genuineness: posing questions that spark creativity, forging friendships that endure for years, and nurturing a deep commitment to one another and our shared home planet.

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75 Acres of Wonder

Just a stone's throw from downtown Redmond, our sprawling campus feels like stepping into another world. Here, forest trails entice explorers, open meadows host gatherings, and every corner invites a moment to pause, reflect, or dream. We've created this special place where nature's calm meets the buzz of learning—giving students room to breathe while keeping them anchored to Seattle’s vibrant energy.

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Class extends beyond Overlake

The whole Pacific Northwest becomes a learning playground. Wade into tidepools for hands-on science, wander through Seattle's museums where art and history come alive, and find courage on mountain trails that bring out one’s A-game. As students serve local communities and explore different cultures, they’ll develop a special relationship to this beautiful corner of the world—and find their place within it.

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World citizens in the making

Feel the world get a little smaller—in a good way. Students learn alongside friends from here and abroad, joining a family of owls that spans over 1,000 cities worldwide. When Project Week rolls around, students might find themselves getting a taste of Chinese culture, living as a Roman for a day, or trekking the Himalaya mountains. These aren't just trips; they're doorways to grasping our beautifully complex world.

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I think what really drew me to Overlake when I first came to visit was the overall mood and energy of the school. I was looking at quite a few other schools that were all pretty good academically, but what really set Overlake apart was just how much of a sense of community there was and it felt like there was just something very special about how well everyone knew each other. And that is what made me really want to come to Overlake.

Xander, Class of 2028
Xander, Class of 2028 View Story
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There are all these different opportunities, whether it's clubs, or in our homerooms, or in our classes every day, I do feel that family-oriented community at Overlake.

Autumn, Class of 2027
Autumn, Class of 2027 View Story
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Fresh off the press: The Overlaker

You’re invited to explore our seasonal magazine and get a peek into our school’s pulse. The Overlaker captures who we are in full technicolor—from students' latest adventures and faculty insights to campus happenings. It's like sitting down for lattes with your favorite Owls and hearing their best stories firsthand.

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See what's unfolding in a space near you.

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