Home > Washington > Whatcom County

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

761 Schools

# Students

11,337 Students

270,540 Students

# Teachers

639 Teachers

16,823 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends

Grade	Bellingham School District	Washington
Pre-K	114	67
Kind	856	127
1	725	117
2	757	122
3	835	122
4	796	115
5	739	112

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

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

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

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
2011	#43
2010	#45

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

45%

41%

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

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%
2010	58%	54%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

57%

53%

View Data

Showing 2011–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

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%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

57%

49%

79%

83.8%

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	79%	83%
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%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(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%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.56

0.71

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

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	0.65
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	0.59
2011	0.41	0.57
2010	0.41	0.54
2009	0.42	0.53
2008	0.41	0.52
2007	0.39	0.51
2006	0.37	0.50
2005	0.35	0.49
2004	0.33	0.48
2003	0.32	0.46
2002	0.30	0.45
2001	0.30	0.42
2000	0.29	0.42
1999	0.28	0.41
1998	0.27	0.40
1997	0.26	0.40
1996	0.24	0.38
1995	0.23	0.37
1994	0.22	0.35
1993	0.22	0.34
1992	0.20	0.34
1991	0.20	0.32
1990	0.18	0.31
1989	0.19	0.29
1988	0.18	0.29

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2021	2%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2018	1%	2%
2017	1%	1%
2016	1%	1%
2015	2%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	1%	2%
2012	2%	1%
2011	1%	2%
2010	3%	3%
2009	4%	3%
2008	4%	3%
2007	3%	3%
2006	3%	3%
2005	3%	3%
2004	3%	3%
2003	3%	3%
2002	3%	3%
2001	2%	3%
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%
1990	3%	3%
1989	3%	2%
1988	3%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Asian

10%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

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%	7%
2015	5%	7%
2014	5%	7%
2013	6%	7%
2012	6%	7%
2011	6%	7%
2010	7%	9%
2009	7%	9%
2008	7%	9%
2007	7%	9%
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%	6%
1995	5%	6%
1994	5%	6%
1993	4%	6%
1992	4%	6%
1991	4%	6%
1990	4%	5%
1989	4%	5%
1988	3%	5%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

20%

27%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

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%	23%
2015	15%	22%
2014	15%	21%
2013	15%	20%
2012	14%	20%
2011	14%	18%
2010	11%	17%
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%	8%
1997	5%	8%
1996	4%	8%
1995	4%	7%
1994	4%	7%
1993	3%	6%
1992	3%	6%
1991	3%	6%
1990	2%	5%
1989	2%	5%
1988	2%	5%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	2%	4%
2019	2%	5%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	5%
2015	1%	5%
2014	1%	5%
2013	1%	5%
2012	3%	5%
2011	3%	5%
2010	3%	6%
2009	3%	6%
2008	3%	6%
2007	3%	6%
2006	3%	6%
2005	2%	6%
2004	2%	6%
2003	2%	5%
2002	2%	5%
2001	2%	5%
2000	2%	5%
1999	1%	5%
1998	2%	5%
1997	2%	5%
1996	1%	5%
1995	1%	5%
1994	1%	4%
1993	1%	4%
1992	1%	4%
1991	1%	4%
1990	1%	4%
1989	1%	4%
1988	1%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

63%

44%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	65%	49%
2022	66%	50%
2021	66%	51%
2020	67%	53%
2019	67%	53%
2018	69%	54%
2017	69%	55%
2016	69%	56%
2015	70%	57%
2014	70%	58%
2013	70%	59%
2012	75%	60%
2011	76%	63%
2010	76%	65%
2009	75%	66%
2008	76%	67%
2007	77%	68%
2006	78%	69%
2005	80%	70%
2004	81%	71%
2003	82%	72%
2002	83%	73%
2001	84%	75%
2000	83%	75%
1999	84%	76%
1998	84%	77%
1997	85%	77%
1996	87%	78%
1995	87%	79%
1994	88%	80%
1993	88%	81%
1992	89%	81%
1991	89%	82%
1990	90%	83%
1989	90%	84%
1988	91%	84%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

10%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2013-2023)

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	8%	9%
2022	9%	9%
2021	9%	9%
2020	8%	9%
2019	8%	8%
2018	7%	8%
2017	7%	8%
2016	7%	7%
2015	7%	7%
2014	7%	7%
2013	7%	6%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

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.

This School District

This State (WA)

Total Revenue

$256 MM

$23,221 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$256 MM	$18 MM
2022	$239 MM	$17 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
1992	$48 MM	$5 MM
1990	$39 MM	$4 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$261 MM

$23,150 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$261 MM	$18 MM
2022	$262 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
1992	$50 MM	$6 MM
1990	$40 MM	$4 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$22,588

$21,173

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$22,050	$23,207
2022	$20,863	$22,063
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

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$23,031

$21,108

View Data

Showing 2012–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends

Year	Bellingham School District	Washington
2023	$22,482	$23,082
2022	$22,877	$22,151
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

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Recent Articles

October 28, 2026

When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs

Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.

October 28, 2026

Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House

Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.

October 28, 2026

School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know

Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.

Quick Facts (26-27)

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