Federal Way tied with Shoreline for runner-up in Business Week magazine’s Best Places to Raise Your Kids in Washington.

The annual report this year went state by state. Bellevue took the top spot for Washington state.

Bellevue ranked high for plenty of high-tech and retail jobs as well as its schools.

Business Week chose towns with at least 50,000 residents and a median family income of $40,000 to $100,000. The towns were then narrowed using the weighted criteria of school performance, number of schools, household expenditures, crime rates, air quality, job growth, family income, museums, parks, theaters and diversity. School performance and safety were weighed most heavily.

“It’s a wonderful validation of the work in our community from the city, the police, the Chamber of Commerce and the school district,” Federal Way School District Superintendent Tom Murphy said. “It’s recognition that Federal Way is one of the best kept secrets.”

Murphy cited the interest in young people from the community as part of the reason why the Federal Way School District ranked high. The passing of bonds, levies and the partnerships between the city and district are part of that, he said.

“We are absolutely thrilled,” Federal Way Chamber of Commerce President Dan Altmayer said. “We’ve worked hard…to promote Federal Way as a great place to work, live and play. This article is proof.”

Contact Kyra Low:

klow@fedwaymirror.com

Check out the article at http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/11/1110_best_places_for_kids/48.htm