Hello, I know virtually nothing about flying, but am planning on
getting a private flying license. I have already talked to a few of
the schools in and around the Tukwila/Renton Washington area, and want
to know which is the best all around school.

You've already received great advice about the specific schools in
your area. The only thing I would add is that you will be happier if
you find an older CFI with no aspirations for the airlines.
Especially now, with CFIs being plucked with as little as 250 hours.

Here are three real-world data point for you:

I was lucky enough to train with an "old-timer" who had "been there,
done that", had 20,000 hours in every imaginable aircraft -- and was
happy doing what he was doing. His entire being was focused on
teaching -- not getting to the next level.

My son had an interesting mix of instructors, doing most of his
training with a similar "old timer" (flies a '29 Travel Air on the
barnstorming network), but finishing up with a young guy who is
clearly on his way to the regionals. He actually enjoyed flying with
the young guy more (I think due to their closeness in age) -- but he
admits that he learned far more from the old guy.

My wife finished her ticket with the same CFI -- who jumped to the
regionals the same week that she took her checkride. Luckily, he was
a former banker who had changed careers, which gave him a much
different perspective than the 20-something year old CFI who is
straight-lining into the majors.

Of the people I know who never finished getting their ticket, I think
most of them ran into trouble with their CFI vanishing. Bottom line:
There are enough reasons to quit your training -- you don't need to
make your CFI one of them. Seek out the graybeard in the group.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"