Top Rankings
Bellingham School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:
Category
Attribute
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 11,337 students in Bellingham School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Washington.
Public Schools in Bellingham School District have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (WA)
# Schools
25 Schools
2,552 Schools
# Students
11,337 Students
1,096,693 Students
# Teachers
639 Teachers
60,938 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Bellingham School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 306 school districts in Washington (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 79% has decreased from 85% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#68 out of 307 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
41%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
53%
Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
49%
Graduation Rate
79%
83.8%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)40.9%
34.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.69
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
5%
9%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
20%
27%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
2%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
63%
47%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
2%
% Two or more races
9%
9%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $22,588 is higher than the state median of $21,173. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $23,031 is higher than the state median of $21,108. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$256 MM
$23,221 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$261 MM
$23,150 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$22,588
$21,173
Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$23,031
$21,108
Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Bellingham School District Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Silver Beach Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4101 Academy St
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6443
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6443
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Kulshan Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1250 Kenoyer Dr
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-4886
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-4886
Gr: 6-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Bellingham High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2020 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6575
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6575
Gr: 9-12 | 1,165 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Sehome High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2700 Bill Mcdonald Pkwy
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6481
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6481
Gr: 9-12 | 1,116 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
914 15th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6430
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6430
Gr: PK-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #66.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3030 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6433
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6433
Gr: PK-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Fairhaven Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
110 Park Ridge Rd
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6450
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6450
Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2508 Utter St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6413
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6413
Gr: PK-5 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Wade King Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2155 Yew Street Rd
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6840
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6840
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Squalicum High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3773 E Mcleod Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6471
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6471
Gr: 9-12 | 1,273 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1111.
Northern Heights Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4000 Magrath Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 647-6820
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 647-6820
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1212.
Whatcom Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
810 Halleck St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6460
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6460
Gr: 6-8 | 637 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1313.
Bellingham Family Partnership Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1409 18th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6424
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6424
Gr: K-12 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1414.
Geneva Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1401 Geneva St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6416
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6416
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1515.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1041 24th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6420
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6420
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1616.
Sunnyland Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2800 James St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6446
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6446
Gr: PK-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1717.
Carl Cozier Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1330 Lincoln St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6410
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6410
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1818.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2900 Yew St
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6440
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6440
Gr: PK-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1919.
Visions (Seamar Youth Center)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1603 E Illinois St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2020.
Shuksan Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2717 Alderwood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6454
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6454
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2121.
Alderwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3400 Hollywood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6404
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6404
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2222.
Options High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2015 Franklin St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871
Gr: 9-12 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2323.
Birchwood Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3200 Pinewood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6466
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6466
Gr: PK-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2424.
Cordata Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4420 Aldrich Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6461
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6461
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: n/an/a
Bellingham Re-engagement Program
Alternative School
1985 Barkley Blvd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6400
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 110 students Minority enrollment: 36%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Bellingham School District?
Bellingham School District manages 25 public schools serving 11,337 students.
What is the rank of Bellingham School District?
Bellingham School District is ranked #70 out of 306 school districts in Washington (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Washington school districts for: Highest science proficiency (Top 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Bellingham School District?
63% of Bellingham School District students are White, 20% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Bellingham School District?
Bellingham School District has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is equal to the Washington state average of 18:1.
What is Bellingham School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $23,031 is higher than the state median of $21,108. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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