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Options High School

Q: Is Options High School a good school?

Options High School ranks 272 nd of 396 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

272^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 396 Washington High Schools

Better than 31% of Washington high schools

Summary

Options High School is a small public high school in Bellingham, Washington, serving grades 9–12 and 176 students in the Bellingham School District. Its small, specialized setting is quite different from nearby comprehensive schools such as Bellingham High School, Sehome High School, and Squalicum High School. Options has a much lower student-teacher ratio—8.6 students per teacher compared with roughly 21 at those larger schools—and serves a higher-need student population. Its statewide ranking improved from the 12th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 31st percentile in 2025–2026, although it still ranks below the district’s major comprehensive high schools.

The school’s recent results show meaningful progress, but also clear academic challenges. The four-year graduation rate rose to 77.0% in 2024–2025, up from 62.5% the prior year, though it remained below the district’s 88.3% and Washington’s 82.6%. English language arts is a relative strength: 59.26% of students reached proficiency in 2025–2026, above both district and state rates. Math and science were much weaker, at 19.23% and 33.33%, respectively. Compared with Bellingham High School, Sehome High School, and Squalicum High School, Options trails substantially in math and science. Its historic dropout rates—25.0% in 2023–2024 and higher in several earlier years—also signal an ongoing need to support persistence and completion.

Options appears designed for individualized support rather than the broad course and extracurricular environment of a large high school. Spending was $24,414 per student in 2023–2024, higher than at nearby traditional schools, and 53.98% of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch. Its strongest distinctive result is special education effectiveness: that subgroup ranked in the 87th percentile statewide in 2025–2026, with four stars. In comparison with the smaller Intergenerational High School, Options had a much higher graduation rate—77.0% versus 34.3%—and similar math performance. Overall, the data suggest a school making encouraging gains, especially in graduation and ELA, while needing continued improvement in math, science, and outcomes for some student groups.

176

Students ?

8.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,414

Per pupil spending ?

54%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2015 Franklin St
Bellingham, WA 98225-4220

(360) 647-6871

District: Bellingham School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.5%

Hispanic:

15.3%

Not Specified:

7.4%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 20th percentile in 2013 → 31st in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 11 percentile points since 2013

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (33% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Graduation rate below the Washington average (77% vs 83%)

!Dropout rate above the Washington average (25% vs 10%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg52%

Washington avg48%

272^nd of 396

Washington public high schools ?

Bottom 31%▲ up 21 pts since 2016

From bottom 11% (2016) to bottom 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th 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	33.9	272 of 396	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	18.4	361 of 438	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.0	385 of 437	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.6	386 of 442	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.0	306 of 434	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	42.7	249 of 455	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	24.3	330 of 417	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	34.4	221 of 301	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	18.9	273 of 306	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	25.1	363 of 454	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	31.8	327 of 450	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	40.8	270 of 440	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	37.6	294 of 423	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	21.6	330 of 402	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	39.4	278 of 396	29.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	46.6	252 of 399	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2006	24.6	320 of 395	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	36.4	284 of 394	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	18.6	327 of 390	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	14.4	312 of 350	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.0	278 of 347	19.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.0	251 of 357	29.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.1	299 of 368	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	45.6	198 of 390	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	28.9	272 of 358	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	11.6	335 of 355	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	20.8	307 of 356	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	40.6	223 of 370	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	57.4	128 of 392	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	27.8	269 of 344	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	56.0	138 of 326	57.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	24.2	278 of 359	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.7	317 of 362	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	13.8	327 of 358	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	45.5	195 of 363	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	60.2	128 of 395	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	25.1	282 of 355	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	74.4	19 of 144	86.8%	★★★★☆
2022	80.6	17 of 130	86.9%	★★★★☆
2021	66.7	34 of 212	84.0%	★★★★☆
2019	77.3	20 of 128	84.4%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	14.1	292 of 319	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	13.6	341 of 373	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	9.6	353 of 374	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	16.1	334 of 379	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.7	285 of 390	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.4	256 of 413	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	24.2	320 of 382	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)87th percentile+55 vs school

Male (2026)58th percentile+26 vs school

Female (2025)11th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)8th percentile-23 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)6th percentile-12 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts59%+6 vs state

Science33%-18 vs state

Math19%-24 vs state

★

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Schools Near Options 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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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
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
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
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 Options High School

How many students attend Options High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 176 students attended Options High School.

What is the racial makeup of Options High School?

Students at Options High School are 70% White, 15% Hispanic, 7% Not Specified, 3% Two or more races, 2% American Indian, 1% African American.

Is Options High School a good school?

Options High School ranks 272^nd of 396 Washington high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Options High School in?

Bellingham School District

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresNewSep 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.