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Meridian School District

Item: Meridian School District
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

214 W Laurel Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226-9623

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (360) 398-7111

www.meridian.wednet.edu

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,904 students in Meridian School District. This district's average is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Washington.

Public Schools in Meridian School District have an score of 32% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and score of 47% (versus the 53% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 38% 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

6 Schools

2,552 Schools

# Students

1,904 Students

1,096,693 Students

# Teachers

103 Teachers

60,938 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends

Grade	Meridian School District	Washington
Pre-K	26	67
Kind	159	229
1	134	220
2	160	234
3	159	245
4	141	234
5	150	241
6	131	242
7	131	241
8	158	243
9	157	250
10	145	257
11	107	261
12	146	280

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District Rank

Meridian School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% 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 87% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (WA)

#179 out of 307 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

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

Overall School District Rank Trends

Year	Meridian School District
2023	#179
2022	#195
2021	#153
2019	#153
2018	#130
2017	#172
2016	#158
2015	#156
2014	#129
2013	#123
2012	#112
2011	#140
2010	#168

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32%

41%

View Data

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

Math Proficiency Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	32%	41%
2022	30%	40%
2019	45%	50%
2018	47%	51%
2017	43%	51%
2016	45%	51%
2015	41%	49%
2014	63%	65%
2013	60%	64%
2012	66%	63%
2011	59%	60%
2010	48%	54%

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47%

53%

View Data

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

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2022	47%	53%
2019	56%	61%
2018	47%	61%
2017	53%	61%
2016	54%	62%
2015	51%	56%
2014	72%	74%
2013	70%	73%
2012	68%	72%
2011	63%	70%
2010	64%	70%

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47%

49%

87%

83.8%

View Data

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

Graduation Rate Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	87%	83%
2022	87%	84%
2019	87%	84%
2018	95%	88%
2017	77%	82%
2016	77%	81%
2015	77%	81%
2014	82%	80%
2013	82%	78%
2012	77%	78%
2011	82%	77%

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(2022-23)

36.1%

34.7%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	36.1%	34.7%
2022	13.3%	18.4%
2021	19.9%	24.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.56

0.69

View Data

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

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	0.53	0.68
2022	0.52	0.68
2021	0.52	0.67
2020	0.51	0.65
2019	0.51	0.65
2018	0.46	0.65
2017	0.46	0.64
2016	0.45	0.63
2015	0.44	0.62
2014	0.42	0.61
2013	0.36	0.61
2012	0.35	0.59
2011	0.33	0.57
2010	0.35	0.54
2009	0.36	0.53
2008	0.35	0.52
2007	0.34	0.51
2006	0.32	0.50
2005	0.31	0.49
2004	0.29	0.48
2003	0.26	0.46
2002	0.26	0.45
2001	0.26	0.42
2000	0.24	0.42
1999	0.22	0.41
1998	0.21	0.40
1997	0.21	0.40
1996	0.20	0.38
1995	0.18	0.37
1994	0.16	0.35
1993	0.16	0.34
1992	0.17	0.34
1991	0.18	0.32
1990	0.18	0.31
1989	0.19	0.29
1988	0.17	0.29

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% American Indian

View Data

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

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

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

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% Asian

View Data

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

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	6%	9%
2022	5%	9%
2021	5%	8%
2020	6%	8%
2019	6%	8%
2018	5%	8%
2017	5%	8%
2016	5%	7%
2015	4%	7%
2014	4%	7%
2013	3%	7%
2012	3%	7%
2011	3%	7%
2010	4%	9%
2009	5%	9%
2008	5%	9%
2007	4%	9%
2006	4%	8%
2005	3%	8%
2004	3%	8%
2003	3%	8%
2002	4%	8%
2001	4%	7%
2000	4%	7%
1999	4%	7%
1998	4%	7%
1997	3%	7%
1996	3%	6%
1995	3%	6%
1994	2%	6%
1993	2%	6%
1992	2%	6%
1991	3%	6%
1990	4%	5%
1989	2%	5%
1988	2%	5%

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% Hispanic

23%

27%

View Data

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

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	20%	26%
2022	20%	25%
2021	20%	25%
2020	19%	24%
2019	19%	24%
2018	19%	23%
2017	19%	23%
2016	18%	23%
2015	18%	22%
2014	16%	21%
2013	13%	20%
2012	13%	20%
2011	12%	18%
2010	12%	17%
2009	12%	16%
2008	12%	15%
2007	12%	14%
2006	11%	14%
2005	11%	13%
2004	10%	12%
2003	8%	12%
2002	9%	11%
2001	8%	10%
2000	6%	10%
1999	6%	9%
1998	6%	8%
1997	7%	8%
1996	7%	8%
1995	5%	7%
1994	5%	7%
1993	5%	6%
1992	6%	6%
1991	6%	6%
1990	6%	5%
1989	7%	5%
1988	5%	5%

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% Black

View Data

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

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	1%	5%
2022	1%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	5%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	5%
2015	1%	5%
2014	1%	5%
2013	1%	5%
2012	1%	5%
2011	1%	5%
2010	2%	6%
2009	2%	6%
2008	2%	6%
2007	2%	6%
2006	1%	6%
2005	1%	6%
2004	1%	6%
2003	1%	5%
2002	1%	5%
2001	1%	5%
2000	1%	5%
1988	1%	4%

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% White

62%

47%

View Data

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

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	65%	49%
2022	66%	50%
2021	66%	51%
2020	67%	53%
2019	67%	53%
2018	71%	54%
2017	71%	55%
2016	72%	56%
2015	73%	57%
2014	75%	58%
2013	79%	59%
2012	80%	60%
2011	81%	63%
2010	80%	65%
2009	79%	66%
2008	80%	67%
2007	80%	68%
2006	82%	69%
2005	83%	70%
2004	84%	71%
2003	86%	72%
2002	85%	73%
2001	85%	75%
2000	87%	75%
1999	88%	76%
1998	89%	77%
1997	88%	77%
1996	89%	78%
1995	90%	79%
1994	91%	80%
1993	92%	81%
1992	91%	81%
1991	90%	82%
1990	90%	83%
1989	90%	84%
1988	91%	84%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	7%	9%
2022	6%	9%
2021	6%	9%
2020	6%	9%
2019	6%	8%
2018	3%	8%
2017	3%	8%
2016	3%	7%
2015	3%	7%
2014	3%	7%
2013	3%	6%
2012	3%	6%
2011	3%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,749 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,173. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,438 is less 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

$32 MM

$23,221 MM

View Data

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

Total Revenues Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	$32 MM	$18 MM
2022	$31 MM	$17 MM
2021	$28 MM	$18 MM
2020	$27 MM	$18 MM
2019	$25 MM	$16 MM
2018	$23 MM	$13 MM
2017	$22 MM	$13 MM
2016	$21 MM	$14 MM
2015	$18 MM	$12 MM
2014	$23 MM	$12 MM
2012	$23 MM	$12 MM
2011	$19 MM	$12 MM
2010	$18 MM	$12 MM
2009	$18 MM	$12 MM
2008	$15 MM	$11 MM
2007	$14 MM	$10 MM
2006	$13 MM	$10 MM
2005	$13 MM	$9 MM
2004	$13 MM	$9 MM
2003	$12 MM	$9 MM
2002	$12 MM	$9 MM
2001	$11 MM	$9 MM
2000	$10 MM	$8 MM
1999	$10 MM	$8 MM
1998	$9 MM	$7 MM
1997	$9 MM	$7 MM
1996	$9 MM	$7 MM
1995	$8 MM	$6 MM
1992	$8 MM	$5 MM
1990	$5 MM	$4 MM

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Spending

$31 MM

$23,150 MM

View Data

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

Total Expenditure Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	$31 MM	$18 MM
2022	$30 MM	$17 MM
2021	$26 MM	$15 MM
2020	$27 MM	$17 MM
2019	$24 MM	$16 MM
2018	$23 MM	$14 MM
2017	$23 MM	$13 MM
2016	$22 MM	$13 MM
2015	$17 MM	$10 MM
2014	$22 MM	$11 MM
2012	$32 MM	$12 MM
2011	$20 MM	$11 MM
2010	$17 MM	$10 MM
2009	$16 MM	$11 MM
2008	$14 MM	$11 MM
2007	$13 MM	$10 MM
2006	$12 MM	$9 MM
2005	$12 MM	$9 MM
2004	$12 MM	$9 MM
2003	$12 MM	$8 MM
2002	$13 MM	$9 MM
2001	$11 MM	$9 MM
2000	$10 MM	$8 MM
1999	$9 MM	$8 MM
1998	$9 MM	$7 MM
1997	$9 MM	$7 MM
1996	$9 MM	$7 MM
1995	$8 MM	$6 MM
1992	$11 MM	$6 MM
1990	$5 MM	$4 MM

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Revenue / Student

$16,749

$21,173

View Data

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

Average Revenue Per Student Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	$17,561	$23,207
2022	$17,628	$22,063
2021	$15,302	$22,261
2020	$14,342	$20,595
2018	$12,796	$17,034
2017	$12,461	$16,266
2016	$12,128	$16,359
2015	$10,239	$11,994
2014	$12,514	$12,940
2012	$10,203	$12,445
2011	$8,031	$12,577
2010	$8,496	$11,994
2009	$9,485	$12,260
2008	$9,161	$11,273
2007	$8,618	$10,323
2006	$8,631	$9,385
2005	$8,441	$8,889
2004	$7,988	$9,060
2003	$7,858	$8,698
2002	$7,479	$7,902
2001	$6,922	$8,010
2000	$6,509	$7,416
1999	$6,243	$7,257
1998	$6,152	$6,806
1997	$6,089	$6,273
1995	$5,705	$5,897
1992	$6,498	$5,711
1990	$4,379	$4,869

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Spending / Student

$16,438

$21,108

View Data

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

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends

Year	Meridian School District	Washington
2023	$17,235	$23,082
2022	$17,125	$22,151
2021	$14,171	$19,082
2020	$14,448	$19,584
2018	$12,558	$17,238
2017	$13,108	$16,506
2016	$12,390	$15,517
2015	$9,725	$10,499
2014	$12,144	$12,404
2012	$14,277	$11,905
2011	$8,372	$11,693
2010	$8,070	$10,499
2009	$8,793	$11,231
2008	$8,394	$11,125
2007	$8,071	$9,967
2006	$7,924	$8,893
2005	$8,178	$8,879
2004	$7,613	$8,617
2003	$7,481	$8,253
2002	$8,460	$7,974
2001	$6,685	$8,055
2000	$6,258	$7,278
1999	$5,959	$7,029
1998	$6,041	$6,800
1997	$6,300	$6,422
1995	$5,710	$6,024
1992	$8,875	$6,438
1990	$4,201	$4,978

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Best Meridian School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Meridian High School

(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

194 W Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-8111

Gr: 9-12 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 39%

Rank: #22.

Meridian Parent Partnership Program

Alternative School

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

240 W Laurel Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-9324

Gr: K-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Rank: #33.

Meridian Middle School

(Math: 26% | Reading: 46%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

861 Ten Mile Road
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 398-2291

Gr: 6-8 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%

Rank: #44.

Irene Reither Elementary School

(Math: 28% | Reading: 37%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

954 E. Hemmi Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-2111

Gr: PK-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Rank: n/an/a

Meridian Impact Re-engagement

Alternative School

Add to Compare

3028 Lindbergh Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 318-2280

Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 62%

Rank: n/an/a

Meridian Special Programs

Special Education School

Add to Compare

214 W Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(206) 398-7111

Gr: PK | 26 students Minority enrollment: 27%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Meridian School District?

Meridian School District manages 6 public schools serving 1,904 students.

What is the rank of Meridian School District?

Meridian School District is ranked #188 out of 306 school districts in Washington (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Meridian School District?

62% of Meridian School District students are White, 23% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Asian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Meridian School District?

Meridian School District has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is equal to the Washington state average of 18:1.

What is Meridian School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $16,438 is less than the state median of $21,108. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,904 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Minority Enrollment: 38%
: 87% (Top 30% in WA)
: Bottom 50%
: 32% (Btm 50%)
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 47% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), WA Dept. of Education