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Best Public Schools in Bellingham, WA


At a glance
35
Schools
12,952
Students
9
Districts
Top rankedKulshan Middle School90th of 534 Washington middle schools
Biggest riser
Sunnyland Elementary School up 147 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
Lummi Nation Tribal School 5.7 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
4★
3★
2★
1★
9 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

Bellingham, Washington, serves approximately 12,600 students across 33 public schools, ranging from elementary to high school, including traditional, alternative, and tribal schools within the Bellingham School District and neighboring districts like Meridian and Mount Baker.

The area features several standout schools, such as top-ranked Silver Beach Elementary School and Sehome High School, which boasts the district's highest graduation rate. Middle schools like Kulshan Middle School and Fairhaven Middle School are consistently high-performing, while schools like Cordata Elementary School and Alderwood Elementary School face significant academic challenges despite higher per-student spending.

Key takeaways for parents include a notable math performance gap across most schools, a strong correlation between economic disadvantage and lower test scores, and a diverse range of educational options including partnership programs and re-engagement schools. The data shows that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, and the district's middle schools and graduation rates are particular strengths, though support for struggling elementary schools remains a critical need.

Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private





Cities Near Bellingham

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics