Eleven miles from Seattle and spanning 32.5 square miles, the Renton district is one of the most urban in South King County and has a diverse student population.

Four of its schools have been Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and the district has received a "What Parents Want" award. Many schools have been remodeled in recent years as part of a continuing modernization program. The district receives strong community support and maintains long-standing partnerships with city and community groups, evidenced by facilities like the Ikea Performing Arts Center at Renton High School.

Superintendent: Mary Alice Heuschel is the former deputy superintendent of learning and teaching at the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, where she coordinated the state response to the federal No Child Left Behind Act. She began in Renton in July 2006.

Alternative/home school programs: Black River High School, Sartori Education Center, Home-school Opportunities for Merging Education (HOME).

The numbers: 19.7% African-American, 23.7% Asian-American, 14.7% Hispanic, 1.3% Native American, 40.6% White, 43.3% low-income, 11.5% special-education, 13% ESL.

Funding: A four-year, $111.5 million operations levy and a six-year, $33 million technology levy to buy new computers and wireless Internet connections were approved in March, 2008. A $150 million construction bond measure fell short by 78 votes on that March ballot but was approved in May by 62 percent. It will pay for a new wing and other improvements at Hazen High and renovation of Renton Memorial Stadium.