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Bellingham High School

Q: Is Bellingham High School a good school?

Bellingham High School ranks 58 th of 396 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

58^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 396 Washington High Schools

Better than 85% of Washington high schools

Summary

Bellingham High School is a public grades 9–12 school serving approximately 1,165 students in the Bellingham area, near several comprehensive, alternative, and re-engagement high school options. The school ranks 58th out of 396 Washington schools, placing it in the 85th percentile and making it the highest-ranked nearby comprehensive high school in the latest data. Its ranking has improved substantially, from 94th in 2023–2024 to 58th in 2025–2026. For comparison, Sehome High School ranks 77th, Meridian High School ranks 93rd, and Squalicum High School ranks 100th.

Academically, English Language Arts is Bellingham High’s clearest strength. In 2025–2026, 72.96% of students were proficient, compared with 56.00% in the Bellingham School District and 52.81% statewide. Math proficiency was 45.87%, nearly identical to the district and modestly above the state, but it improved considerably from 37.59% in 2023–2024. Science proficiency was 58.95%, above the state’s 50.95% and stronger than at Squalicum and Meridian, although below Sehome’s 69.34%. These results suggest a school with especially strong literacy outcomes, improving math performance, and generally solid science achievement.

Completion outcomes are more mixed. Bellingham High’s 2024–2025 graduation rate was 85.8%, above Washington’s 82.6% but below the district’s 88.3%, Sehome’s 91.1%, and Squalicum’s 89.7%. Its dropout rate was 7.4%, better than the state’s 9.8% but higher than Sehome’s 4.6% and Squalicum’s 4.2%. The school’s student-teacher ratio and per-student spending are broadly similar to nearby comprehensive schools. Overall, Bellingham High appears academically strong and recently ascendant, with the main opportunities being to raise math performance beyond the district average, sustain science gains, and improve graduation and dropout outcomes.

1,165

Students ?

21.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,636

Per pupil spending ?

35.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2020 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225-3648

(360) 676-6575

District: Bellingham School District

Feeder schools for Bellingham High School:

Elementary:	Birchwood Elementary School
	Columbia Elementary School
	Geneva Elementary School
	Parkview Elementary School
Middle:	Kulshan Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

67.6%

Hispanic:

18.5%

Two or more races:

7.6%

See top rated Washington high schools

Compare Bellingham High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 82nd percentile in 2016 → 85th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (60% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 15% of Washington high schools

✓86% graduate in 4 years — above the Washington average (83%)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school60%

District avg52%

Washington avg48%

58^th of 396

Washington public high schools ?

Top 15%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From top 18% (2016) to top 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 4High Schools in the Bellingham School District

83^rd of 238Bellingham School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	80.5	58 of 396	85.4%	★★★★☆
2025	77.1	75 of 438	82.9%	★★★★☆
2024	72.2	94 of 437	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	77.6	73 of 442	83.5%	★★★★☆
2022	80.4	65 of 434	85.0%	★★★★☆
2021	75.9	80 of 455	82.4%	★★★★☆
2019	86.1	38 of 417	90.9%	★★★★★
2018	79.1	54 of 315	82.9%	★★★★☆
2017	77.9	54 of 301	82.1%	★★★★☆
2016	77.0	55 of 306	82.0%	★★★★☆
2015	46.6	175 of 341	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	74.5	54 of 454	88.1%	★★★★☆
2012	73.1	55 of 450	87.8%	★★★★☆
2011	73.2	49 of 440	88.9%	★★★★☆
2010	83.3	47 of 423	88.9%	★★★★☆
2009	80.2	56 of 402	86.1%	★★★★☆
2008	79.0	58 of 396	85.4%	★★★★☆
2007	74.9	88 of 399	77.9%	★★★★☆
2006	74.4	85 of 395	78.5%	★★★★☆
2005	90.4	22 of 394	94.4%	★★★★★
2004	79.7	67 of 390	82.8%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	26.3	97 of 124	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	7.4	132 of 136	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	58.1	45 of 121	62.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	76.0	56 of 309	81.9%	★★★★☆
2025	81.5	46 of 350	86.9%	★★★★☆
2024	71.4	79 of 347	77.2%	★★★★☆
2023	75.7	79 of 357	77.9%	★★★★☆
2022	80.9	55 of 368	85.1%	★★★★☆
2021	70.7	81 of 390	79.2%	★★★★☆
2019	83.6	40 of 358	88.8%	★★★★☆
2018	75.5	50 of 243	79.4%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	47.4	116 of 236	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.1	56 of 249	77.5%	★★★★☆
2024	48.0	119 of 248	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.4	109 of 249	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.7	122 of 261	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.7	93 of 278	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.9	50 of 241	79.3%	★★★★☆
2018	75.6	25 of 156	84.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	60.8	114 of 325	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.0	93 of 355	73.8%	★★★★☆
2024	53.2	155 of 356	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.3	54 of 362	85.1%	★★★★☆
2022	53.2	156 of 370	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.1	120 of 392	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	79.2	45 of 344	86.9%	★★★★☆
2018	69.5	49 of 227	78.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	81.7	46 of 326	85.9%	★★★★☆
2025	68.0	97 of 359	73.0%	★★★★☆
2024	66.9	105 of 362	71.0%	★★★★☆
2023	75.2	66 of 358	81.6%	★★★★☆
2022	76.9	69 of 363	81.0%	★★★★☆
2021	78.6	61 of 395	84.6%	★★★★☆
2019	87.7	32 of 355	91.0%	★★★★★
2018	79.1	44 of 254	82.7%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	67.0	46 of 170	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	48.4	75 of 161	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	73.1	32 of 166	80.7%	★★★★☆
2022	78.8	30 of 179	83.2%	★★★★☆
2021	57.6	71 of 195	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.6	52 of 163	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.6	41 of 91	54.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	53.2	53 of 144	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	37.8	72 of 127	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	69.1	26 of 110	76.4%	★★★★☆
2022	55.3	43 of 130	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	82.4	10 of 212	95.3%	★★★★★
2019	95.3	4 of 128	96.9%	★★★★★
2018	57.8	41 of 139	70.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	79.5	54 of 319	83.1%	★★★★☆
2025	74.1	72 of 373	80.7%	★★★★☆
2024	76.0	71 of 374	81.0%	★★★★☆
2023	75.8	73 of 379	80.7%	★★★★☆
2022	81.2	53 of 390	86.4%	★★★★☆
2021	76.1	76 of 413	81.6%	★★★★☆
2019	86.4	27 of 382	92.9%	★★★★★
2018	77.3	46 of 222	79.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)86th percentile~ school

White (2026)83rd percentile~ school

Female (2026)82nd percentile-3 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)73rd percentile-10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)65th percentile-20 vs school

Special Education (2026)63rd percentile-22 vs school

Hispanic (2026)51st percentile-35 vs school

Asian (2022)22nd percentile-63 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts73%+20 vs state

Science59%+8 vs state

Math46%+3 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

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2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a student
Thursday, May 12, 2011

i love this school Close Quote

Schools Near Bellingham High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)		SBAC English Language Arts (2026)		SBAC Math (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 11th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 10th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 10th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bellingham High School	Public	9-12	2020 Cornwall Ave	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6575	1,165	55	21.3	35.5%	788 (67.6%)	20 (1.7%)	215 (18.5%)	27 (2.3%)	10 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	89 (7.6%)	80.5	58^th of 396 public high schools	85.4%		77.1	75^th of 438 public high schools	82.9%	17	59.0	59.0	73.0	73.0	45.9	45.9	$17,636	$344	$17,292
Options High School	Public	9-12	2015 Franklin St	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 647-6871	176	20	8.6	54.0%	124 (70.5%)	2 (1.1%)	27 (15.3%)	1 (0.6%)	4 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.8%)	33.9	272^nd of 396 public high schools	31.3%		18.4	361^st of 438 public high schools	17.6%	89	33.3	33.3	59.3	59.3	19.2	19.2	$24,414	$385	$24,029
Whatcom County Detention Center	Public	8-12	311 Grand Ave 6th Fl	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Northwest Educational Service District 189	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6707	4	0		—	3 (75.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Visions (Seamar Youth Center)	Public	6-12	1603 E Illinois St	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 647-6871	11	0		63.6%	5 (45.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (54.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)							$5,848	$311	$5,537
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program	Public, Virtual	9-12	1985 Barkley Blvd	Bellingham	98226	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	Yes	No	(360) 676-6400	110	0		62.7%	70 (63.6%)	2 (1.8%)	24 (21.8%)	3 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.8%)	4 (3.6%)								(n/a)							$5,848	$311	$5,537
Blaine Re-Engagement	Public	10-12	3028 Lindbergh Ave	Bellingham	98230	Whatcom County	Blaine School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 332-6045	14	0		64.3%	10 (71.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (21.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (7.1%)								(n/a)							$16,133	$186	$15,946
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement	Public	9-12	3028 Lindbergh Ave	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Meridian School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 318-2280	21	0		33.3%	8 (38.1%)	1 (4.8%)	9 (42.9%)	1 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.8%)	1 (4.8%)								(n/a)							$4,616	$67	$4,548
Sehome High School	Public	9-12	2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6481	1,116	51	21.8	29.9%	775 (69.4%)	26 (2.3%)	135 (12.1%)	59 (5.3%)	8 (0.7%)	4 (0.4%)	94 (8.4%)	76.6	77^th of 396 public high schools	80.6%		78.4	72^nd of 438 public high schools	83.6%	5	69.3	69.3	64.0	64.0	41.6	41.6	$17,517	$341	$17,176
Intergenerational High School	Public, Magnet, Charter	9-12	1 Bellis Fair Parkway	Bellingham	98226	Whatcom County	Intergenerational High School	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	(360) 927-1119	107	8	13.3	23.4%	52 (48.6%)	1 (0.9%)	12 (11.2%)	3 (2.8%)	11 (10.3%)	1 (0.9%)	6 (5.6%)	43.4	220^th of 396 public high schools	44.4%		53.4	192^nd of 438 public high schools	56.2%	28			62.5	62.5	20.8	20.8	$34,079	$1,103	$32,977
Squalicum High School	Public	9-12	3773 E McLeod Rd	Bellingham	98226	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6471	1,273	60	21.1	43.2%	670 (52.6%)	20 (1.6%)	341 (26.8%)	111 (8.7%)	9 (0.7%)	3 (0.2%)	106 (8.3%)	71.4	100^th of 396 public high schools	74.7%		54.1	190^th of 438 public high schools	56.6%	90	48.4	48.4	72.0	72.0	43.5	43.5	$18,391	$342	$18,049

Frequently Asked Questions about Bellingham High School

What is the racial makeup of Bellingham High School?

Students at Bellingham High School are 68% White, 18% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% African American, 1% Not Specified.

Is Bellingham High School a good school?

Bellingham High School ranks 58^th of 396 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Bellingham High School in?

Bellingham School District

What schools feed into Bellingham High School?

Bellingham High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Birchwood Elementary School
Elementary : Columbia Elementary School
Elementary : Geneva Elementary School
Elementary : Parkview Elementary School
Middle : Kulshan Middle School

How many students attend Bellingham High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,165 students attended Bellingham High School.

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2024–25 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2025

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.