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Bellingham School District

Item: Bellingham School District
Rating: 8
Author: Public School Review

1306 Dupont St
Bellingham, WA 98225-3118

( shown in map)

Top 30%

Tel: (360) 676-6400

bellinghamschools.org

Top Rankings

Bellingham School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Washington for:

Overview

This School District

This State (WA)

# Schools

25 Schools

794 Schools

# Students

11,337 Students

302,552 Students

# Teachers

639 Teachers

15,929 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Bellingham School District	Washington
Kind	18	11
1	19	11
2	29	12
3	29	13
4	31	13
5	36	20
6	849	216
7	829	241
8	823	243
9	4	31
10	2	24
11	3	26
12	3	29

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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.

This School District

State Average (WA)

#68 out of 307 school districts
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Bellingham School District
2023	#68
2022	#68
2021	#108
2019	#108
2018	#82
2017	#64
2016	#42
2015	#43
2014	#84
2013	#40
2012	#43

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45%

41%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	45%	41%
2022	43%	40%
2019	47%	50%
2018	53%	51%
2017	55%	51%
2016	58%	51%
2015	59%	49%
2014	69%	65%
2013	70%	64%
2012	69%	63%
2011	67%	60%

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57%

53%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2022	57%	53%
2019	63%	61%
2018	53%	61%
2017	65%	61%
2016	70%	62%
2015	65%	56%
2014	79%	74%
2013	80%	73%
2012	78%	72%
2011	76%	70%
2010	76%	70%

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57%

49%

79%

84%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	79%	84%
2022	80%	84%
2019	87%	84%
2018	95%	88%
2017	85%	82%
2016	82%	81%
2015	82%	81%
2014	79%	80%
2013	78%	78%
2012	75%	78%
2011	75%	77%

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(2022-23)

40.9%

34.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	40.9%	34.7%
2022	17.1%	18.4%
2021	24.7%	24.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.56

0.68

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	0.54	0.68
2022	0.53	0.68
2021	0.53	0.67
2020	0.52	0.65
2019	0.52	0.65
2018	0.50	0.64
2017	0.50	0.64
2016	0.50	0.63
2015	0.48	0.62
2014	0.48	0.61
2013	0.48	0.61
2012	0.42	0.60
2011	0.41	0.58
2010	0.41	0.56
2009	0.42	0.55
2008	0.41	0.54
2007	0.39	0.51
2006	0.37	0.49
2005	0.35	0.49
2004	0.33	0.48
2003	0.32	0.47
2002	0.30	0.45
2001	0.30	0.44
2000	0.29	0.42
1999	0.28	0.40
1998	0.27	0.40
1997	0.26	0.39
1996	0.24	0.39
1995	0.23	0.36
1994	0.22	0.35
1993	0.22	0.34
1992	0.20	0.33
1991	0.20	0.32

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2021	2%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2018	1%	1%
2017	1%	1%
2016	1%	2%
2015	2%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	2%	2%
2011	1%	2%
2010	3%	4%
2009	4%	4%
2008	4%	4%
2007	3%	4%
2006	3%	3%
2005	3%	3%
2004	3%	3%
2003	3%	3%
2002	3%	3%
2001	2%	4%
2000	3%	3%
1999	3%	3%
1998	3%	3%
1997	3%	3%
1996	3%	3%
1995	3%	3%
1994	2%	3%
1993	4%	3%
1992	3%	3%
1991	3%	2%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	5%	9%
2022	5%	9%
2021	5%	8%
2020	5%	8%
2019	5%	8%
2018	6%	8%
2017	6%	8%
2016	6%	8%
2015	5%	8%
2014	5%	7%
2013	6%	8%
2012	6%	7%
2011	6%	7%
2010	7%	10%
2009	7%	10%
2008	7%	9%
2007	7%	8%
2006	7%	8%
2005	6%	8%
2004	6%	8%
2003	6%	8%
2002	6%	8%
2001	6%	7%
2000	6%	7%
1999	6%	7%
1998	6%	7%
1997	5%	7%
1996	5%	7%
1995	5%	6%
1994	5%	6%
1993	4%	6%
1992	4%	6%
1991	4%	6%

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% Hispanic

20%

25%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	19%	26%
2022	17%	25%
2021	17%	25%
2020	17%	24%
2019	17%	24%
2018	16%	23%
2017	16%	23%
2016	16%	22%
2015	15%	22%
2014	15%	21%
2013	15%	20%
2012	14%	20%
2011	14%	18%
2010	11%	16%
2009	11%	16%
2008	10%	15%
2007	10%	14%
2006	9%	14%
2005	9%	13%
2004	8%	12%
2003	7%	12%
2002	6%	11%
2001	6%	10%
2000	6%	10%
1999	6%	9%
1998	5%	9%
1997	5%	8%
1996	4%	8%
1995	4%	7%
1994	4%	7%
1993	3%	6%
1992	3%	6%
1991	3%	6%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	2%	5%
2019	2%	5%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2015	1%	4%
2014	1%	5%
2013	1%	5%
2012	3%	5%
2011	3%	5%
2010	3%	6%
2009	3%	5%
2008	3%	6%
2007	3%	6%
2006	3%	6%
2005	2%	6%
2004	2%	6%
2003	2%	6%
2002	2%	5%
2001	2%	5%
2000	2%	5%
1999	1%	5%
1998	2%	5%
1997	2%	5%
1996	1%	4%
1995	1%	5%
1994	1%	4%
1993	1%	4%
1992	1%	4%
1991	1%	4%

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% White

63%

50%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	65%	49%
2022	66%	50%
2021	66%	51%
2020	67%	53%
2019	67%	53%
2018	69%	55%
2017	69%	55%
2016	69%	56%
2015	70%	57%
2014	70%	58%
2013	70%	59%
2012	75%	60%
2011	76%	63%
2010	76%	64%
2009	75%	65%
2008	76%	66%
2007	77%	68%
2006	78%	69%
2005	80%	70%
2004	81%	71%
2003	82%	71%
2002	83%	73%
2001	84%	74%
2000	83%	75%
1999	84%	76%
1998	84%	76%
1997	85%	77%
1996	87%	78%
1995	87%	79%
1994	88%	80%
1993	88%	81%
1992	89%	81%
1991	89%	82%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	8%	9%
2022	9%	9%
2021	9%	9%
2020	8%	8%
2019	8%	8%
2018	7%	8%
2017	7%	8%
2016	7%	7%
2015	7%	7%
2014	7%	7%
2013	7%	6%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,071 is higher than the state median of $18,889. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $22,527 is higher than the state median of $19,341. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.

This School District

This State (WA)

Total Revenue

$216 MM

$20,715 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$216 MM	$18 MM
2022	$219 MM	$18 MM
2021	$216 MM	$18 MM
2020	$219 MM	$18 MM
2019	$214 MM	$16 MM
2018	$180 MM	$13 MM
2017	$168 MM	$13 MM
2016	$156 MM	$14 MM
2015	$122 MM	$12 MM
2014	$133 MM	$12 MM
2012	$117 MM	$12 MM
2011	$153 MM	$12 MM
2010	$122 MM	$12 MM
2009	$115 MM	$12 MM
2008	$110 MM	$11 MM
2007	$102 MM	$10 MM
2006	$93 MM	$10 MM
2005	$89 MM	$9 MM
2004	$85 MM	$9 MM
2003	$85 MM	$9 MM
2002	$81 MM	$9 MM
2001	$85 MM	$9 MM
2000	$73 MM	$8 MM
1999	$73 MM	$8 MM
1998	$68 MM	$7 MM
1997	$67 MM	$7 MM
1996	$65 MM	$7 MM
1995	$61 MM	$6 MM

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Spending

$255 MM

$21,212 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$255 MM	$15 MM
2022	$215 MM	$17 MM
2021	$255 MM	$15 MM
2020	$215 MM	$17 MM
2019	$223 MM	$16 MM
2018	$227 MM	$14 MM
2017	$181 MM	$13 MM
2016	$166 MM	$13 MM
2015	$116 MM	$10 MM
2014	$134 MM	$11 MM
2012	$115 MM	$12 MM
2011	$160 MM	$11 MM
2010	$116 MM	$10 MM
2009	$132 MM	$11 MM
2008	$121 MM	$11 MM
2007	$98 MM	$10 MM
2006	$91 MM	$9 MM
2005	$87 MM	$9 MM
2004	$82 MM	$9 MM
2003	$80 MM	$8 MM
2002	$86 MM	$9 MM
2001	$78 MM	$9 MM
2000	$90 MM	$8 MM
1999	$79 MM	$8 MM
1998	$81 MM	$7 MM
1997	$73 MM	$7 MM
1996	$63 MM	$7 MM
1995	$67 MM	$6 MM

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Revenue / Student

$19,071

$18,889

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$18,616	$20,861
2022	$18,168	$20,595
2021	$18,827	$22,261
2020	$18,168	$20,595
2018	$15,332	$17,034
2017	$14,544	$16,266
2016	$13,754	$16,359
2015	$10,978	$11,994
2014	$11,961	$12,940
2012	$10,658	$12,445
2011	$13,979	$12,577
2010	$11,217	$11,994
2009	$10,833	$12,260
2008	$10,166	$11,273
2007	$9,482	$10,323
2006	$8,757	$9,385
2005	$8,245	$8,889
2004	$8,101	$9,060
2003	$8,117	$8,698
2002	$7,783	$7,902
2001	$8,156	$8,010
2000	$7,066	$7,416
1999	$7,035	$7,257
1998	$6,549	$6,806
1997	$6,588	$6,273
1995	$6,134	$5,897
1992	$5,098	$5,711
1990	$4,425	$4,869

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Spending / Student

$22,527

$19,341

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$21,989	$17,883
2022	$17,904	$19,584
2021	$22,238	$19,082
2020	$17,904	$19,584
2018	$19,323	$17,238
2017	$15,677	$16,506
2016	$14,670	$15,517
2015	$10,423	$10,499
2014	$12,042	$12,404
2012	$10,465	$11,905
2011	$14,638	$11,693
2010	$10,650	$10,499
2009	$12,371	$11,231
2008	$11,238	$11,125
2007	$9,114	$9,967
2006	$8,626	$8,893
2005	$8,082	$8,879
2004	$7,748	$8,617
2003	$7,615	$8,253
2002	$8,291	$7,974
2001	$7,468	$8,055
2000	$8,655	$7,278
1999	$7,611	$7,029
1998	$7,810	$6,800
1997	$7,146	$6,422
1995	$6,741	$6,024
1992	$5,292	$6,438
1990	$4,512	$4,978

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Best Bellingham School District Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Kulshan Middle School

(Math: 57% | Reading: 62%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1250 Kenoyer Dr
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-4886

Gr: 6-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%

Rank: #22.

Fairhaven Middle School

(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

110 Park Ridge Rd
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6450

Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Rank: #33.

Whatcom Middle School

(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

810 Halleck St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6460

Gr: 6-8 | 637 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%

Rank: #44.

Bellingham Family Partnership Program

Alternative School

(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1409 18th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6424

Gr: K-12 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 22%

Rank: #55.

Visions (Seamar Youth Center)

Alternative School

(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1603 E Illinois St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871

Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Minority enrollment: 55%

Rank: #66.

Shuksan Middle School

(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2717 Alderwood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6454

Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 25 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 11,337 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Minority Enrollment: 37%
: 79% (Top 50% in WA)
: Top 30%
: 45% (Top 30%)
: 57% (Top 30%)
: 57% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education