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Central Elementary

Q: Is Central Elementary a good school?

Central Elementary ranks 500 th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

500^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,138 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 56% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Central Elementary is a PK–5 school in Ferndale, Washington, serving 315 students in a community near several other elementary schools in the Ferndale School District. The school ranks 500th out of 1,138 Washington elementary schools, placing it at the 56th percentile statewide and earning a three-star rating.

Central’s recent performance has improved considerably: its statewide percentile rose from 34th in 2023–24 to 41st in 2024–25 and 56th in 2025–26. It is currently the highest-ranked traditional elementary school among the nearby Ferndale schools listed, ahead of Custer Elementary, Skyline Elementary School, Cascadia Elementary, and Eagleridge Elementary. Central’s 2025–26 proficiency rates were 47.48% in ELA, 48.92% in math, and 60% in science. Those results exceeded district averages in all three subjects, with especially large advantages in math and science. Central also had a higher free- or reduced-price lunch rate—65.08%—than the nearby traditional comparison schools, making its local performance particularly notable.

Math and science are Central’s clearest academic strengths. Third-grade math reached 64.52%, while fifth-grade math was 46%, both above statewide rates; fourth-grade math was weaker at 43.10%. ELA has steadily improved from 37.01% in 2022–23 to 47.48% in 2025–26, although fourth-grade ELA remains a potential improvement area at 41.38%. Science climbed to 60%, above both the district and state. Central’s low socioeconomic status subgroup ranked at the 61st percentile statewide, up sharply from the 20th percentile in 2023–24. Families should also note that the student-teacher ratio rose to 17.4 in 2024–25. Nearby schools outside Ferndale, including Birchwood Elementary School and Cordata Elementary School, provide additional comparison points, but Central’s latest results remain broadly competitive.

315

Students ?

17.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,875

Per pupil spending ?

65.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5610 Second Avenue
Ferndale, WA 98248-0068

(360) 383-9600

District: Ferndale School District

Students who attend Central Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Vista Middle School
High:	Ferndale High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.4%

Hispanic:

24.4%

Two or more races:

9.2%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Central Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 31st percentile in 2022 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 56th (2026) from a 31st-percentile low (2022)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Ferndale School District

✓Above the Washington median (56th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg41%

Washington avg48%

500^th of 1,138

Washington public elementary schools ?

Top 44%▼ down 31 pts since 2016

From top 13% (2016) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 5Elementary Schools in the Ferndale School District

156^th of 238Ferndale 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	53.5	500 of 1138	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.1	680 of 1160	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.6	776 of 1168	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.8	742 of 1169	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	30.9	812 of 1169	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	60.1	416 of 1107	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.3	604 of 1130	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	71.3	299 of 1054	71.6%	★★★★☆
2017	61.3	415 of 1056	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	85.8	133 of 1053	87.4%	★★★★☆
2015	56.3	447 of 1067	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	26.6	880 of 1106	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	31.5	833 of 1097	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	33.8	791 of 1092	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	35.7	751 of 1088	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2009	33.2	777 of 1072	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	40.6	671 of 1067	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	28.3	828 of 1069	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	41.1	666 of 1051	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2005	26.7	812 of 1031	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	28.2	787 of 1026	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	58.1	418 of 1020	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	42.1	613 of 1092	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.2	709 of 1093	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.8	684 of 1094	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	33.6	743 of 1100	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.8	455 of 1008	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.1	590 of 1068	44.8%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	54.9	289 of 697	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.9	197 of 540	63.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	58.1	396 of 1008	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	42.4	599 of 1013	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.4	815 of 1024	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.5	793 of 1013	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.3	911 of 1019	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	49.6	385 of 854	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	39.0	639 of 979	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	69.8	174 of 835	79.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	57.9	423 of 1059	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	36.7	698 of 1098	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.4	698 of 1099	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.9	705 of 1099	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	27.5	829 of 1113	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	66.4	312 of 1025	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.3	516 of 1075	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.6	351 of 999	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2019	28.5	421 of 566	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	64.8	311 of 901	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	43.2	576 of 1007	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.1	806 of 1009	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.5	780 of 1011	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.5	785 of 1031	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	53.2	422 of 943	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.3	574 of 1027	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	71.6	233 of 833	72.0%	★★★★☆

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)

White (2026)65th percentile+9 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)61st percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)60th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)59th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2019)59th percentile+12 vs school

Special Education (2019)26th percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science60%+9 vs state

Math49%+6 vs state

English Language Arts47%-5 vs state

4.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, April 3, 2017

Generally a good school for average performing students. Can't speak to special programs. Wish there was a second language option but nothing is offered. Close Quote

Schools Near Central Elementary

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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 Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WCAS Science (2026)			SBAC English Language Arts (2026)							SBAC Math (2026)							% Completely Immunized (2024)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Diphtheria (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% Pertussis (2024)	% Tetanus (2024)	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 5th Grade	WCAS Science 8th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Measles KG	% Mumps KG	% Rubella KG	% Diphtheria KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% Pertussis KG	% Tetanus KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5610 Second Avenue	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 383-9600	315	18	17.4	65.1%	184 (58.4%)	5 (1.6%)	77 (24.4%)	18 (5.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (9.2%)	53.5	500^th of 1138 public elementary schools	56.1%		40.1	680^th of 1160 public elementary schools	41.4%	180	60.0		60.0	48.4	41.4	54.0				47.5	64.5	43.1	46.0				48.9	73.1	75.0	78.9	78.9	78.9	73.1	80.8	76.9	73.1	73.1	$19,875	$1,337	$18,538
Mountain View Elementary	Public	PK, KG-8	5780 Hendrickson Rd	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(360) 383-9289	101	11	9.4	61.4%	61 (60.4%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (18.8%)	4 (4.0%)	4 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (12.9%)								(n/a)																												$5,532	$444	$5,088
Skyline Elementary School	Public	K-5	2225 Thornton Road	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 383-9450	496	28	17.7	56.5%	223 (45.0%)	5 (1.0%)	123 (24.8%)	45 (9.1%)	56 (11.3%)	5 (1.0%)	39 (7.9%)	42.5	645^th of 1138 public elementary schools	43.3%		35.1	748^th of 1160 public elementary schools	35.5%	103	59.6		59.6	44.1	35.2	48.3				42.5	48.4	38.5	39.3				42.1	91.0	94.0	94.0	94.0	94.0	92.5	92.5	92.5	92.5	92.5	$18,724	$722	$18,001
Cascadia Elementary	Public	K-5	6175 Church Rd	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 383-2300	440	29	15.3	59.3%	196 (44.5%)	9 (2.0%)	152 (34.5%)	41 (9.3%)	6 (1.4%)	5 (1.1%)	29 (6.6%)	29.4	801^st of 1138 public elementary schools	29.6%		22.8	935^th of 1160 public elementary schools	19.4%	134	52.9		52.9	36.8	27.0	44.1				36.2	32.4	26.6	40.6				33.3	86.3	88.8	90.0	90.0	90.0	90.0	91.3	88.8	90.0	90.0	$22,167	$1,253	$20,914
Eagleridge Elementary	Public	K-5	2651 Thornton Road	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 383-9700	457	27	17.0	58.6%	225 (49.2%)	6 (1.3%)	84 (18.4%)	20 (4.4%)	80 (17.5%)	1 (0.2%)	41 (9.0%)	14.7	967^th of 1138 public elementary schools	15.0%		25.7	892^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	23.1%	75	35.9		35.9	20.3	27.3	41.0				29.8	23.2	27.6	22.1				24.5	90.6	90.6	92.2	92.2	92.2	92.2	92.2	90.6	92.2	92.2	$18,791	$756	$18,035
Meridian Parent Partnership Program	Public	K-8	240 W Laurel Rd	Bellingham	98226	Whatcom County	Meridian School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 398-9324	208	8	26.3	24.5%	178 (85.6%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (5.3%)	2 (1.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (6.7%)	58.1	449^th of 1138 public elementary schools	60.5%		55.5	491^st of 1160 public elementary schools	57.7%	42				59.1	55.6		57.7			67.4	50.0	48.2	47.4	26.9	40.0	43.8	42.2	68.0	76.0	84.0	84.0	84.0	76.0	80.0	72.0	76.0	76.0	$11,592	$78	$11,515
Cordata Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4420 Aldrich Rd	Bellingham	98226	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 676-6461	357	29	12.4	68.3%	115 (32.2%)	13 (3.6%)	134 (37.5%)	59 (16.5%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (9.0%)	7.1	1069^th of 1138 public elementary schools	6.1%		12.9	1052^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	9.3%	17	18.6		18.6	19.6	32.3	18.6				24.5	17.4	21.0	7.0				15.9	80.7	83.1	84.3	84.3	84.3	83.1	95.2	84.3	83.1	83.1	$23,284	$2,731	$20,552
Alderwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3400 Hollywood Ave	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 676-6404	305	22	14.1	65.6%	149 (48.9%)	4 (1.3%)	113 (37.0%)	4 (1.3%)	5 (1.6%)	1 (0.3%)	28 (9.2%)	13.5	985^th of 1138 public elementary schools	13.4%		11.2	1074^th of 1160 public elementary schools	7.4%	89	37.5		37.5	6.4	38.9	32.5				26.2	10.9	26.4	20.0				19.4	74.2	75.8	82.3	82.3	82.3	77.4	85.5	75.8	77.4	77.4	$22,963	$2,161	$20,802
Custer Elementary	Public	K-5	7660 Custer School Road	Custer	98240	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 383-9500	392	23	17.3	54.3%	273 (69.6%)	1 (0.3%)	102 (26.0%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.8%)	42.4	646^th of 1138 public elementary schools	43.2%		37.4	712^th of 1160 public elementary schools	38.6%	66	64.8		64.8	36.9	32.8	48.2				38.9	36.9	54.1	40.7				43.9	78.0	84.8	84.8	84.8	84.8	84.8	88.1	83.1	83.1	84.8	$20,787	$860	$19,926
Birchwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3200 Pinewood Ave	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 676-6466	335	24	13.9	58.5%	134 (40.0%)	4 (1.2%)	152 (45.4%)	6 (1.8%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (10.4%)	14.7	966^th of 1138 public elementary schools	15.1%		20.2	964^th of 1160 public elementary schools	16.9%	2	38.1		38.1	28.6	30.9	32.8				30.9	28.6	27.3	15.9				23.6	81.3	84.4	84.4	84.4	84.4	84.4	90.6	81.3	84.4	84.4	$20,255	$1,908	$18,347

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary

What district is Central Elementary in?

Ferndale School District

Is Central Elementary a good school?

Central Elementary ranks 500^th of 1138 Washington elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Central Elementary?

Students at Central Elementary are 58% White, 24% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 6% Asian, 2% African American.

What schools do graduates of Central Elementary attend?

Students who attend Central Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Vista Middle School
High : Ferndale High School

How many students attend Central Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 315 students attended Central Elementary.

Rate Central Elementary!

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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.