National recognition highlights the people, culture and purpose behind one of South King County’s largest employers
KENT, Wash. — [9/15/26] The Kent School District (KSD) has been named to Forbes’ America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 list, recognizing KSD as one of Washington’s top employers based on independent employee feedback.
The national recognition underscores what makes KSD more than a place to work. It is a place where thousands of employees come together every day with a shared purpose: supporting students and strengthening the community.
Developed by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the annual ranking recognizes organizations that foster positive workplace experiences and strong organizational cultures. KSD was among a select group of employers recognized in Washington state.
For KSD, the recognition reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and connected to one another and to the district’s mission.
“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people who make Kent School District such a special place to work,” said Superintendent Israel Vela. “Our employees bring their talent, dedication and passion to our schools and departments every day. They are united by something bigger than any one job. It is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students and families.”
With more than 3,800 employees, KSD is powered by people in a remarkable variety of roles. Teachers and paraeducators work directly with students, while transportation professionals drive students safely to and from school, food and nutrition teams fuel their learning, facilities staff keep schools operating, technology teams connect classrooms, office professionals support families, and safety officers and administrators help create positive learning environments for students.
Together, these employees make up OneKSD—OneClass, OneTeam, OneCommunity.
As one of Washington’s largest school districts, KSD serves more than 25,000 students across 44 schools and academies throughout South King County. The district’s workforce reflects the diversity of the students and communities it serves and plays a critical role in preparing students for their futures.
Recognition Based on Independent Feedback
Forbes and Statista selected the America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 honorees through an independent survey of more than 245,000 U.S. employees working for companies with at least 500 employees in the United States. More than 2 million employer evaluations were considered as part of the research. No more than 100 employers are recognized in each state.
For KSD, being included on the list is an opportunity to celebrate the employees whose daily work makes a difference, and to continue building a workplace where people can grow, contribute and feel a sense of belonging.
“Our employees are the heart of OneKSD,” said Deputy Superintendent Wade Barringer, Ph.D. “We are proud to be recognized as an employer, but even more proud of the people who make our district a place where students and staff can learn, grow and succeed together.”
The complete Forbes America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 list is available on the Forbes website.