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Vista Middle School

Q: Is Vista Middle School a good school?

Vista Middle School ranks 261 st of 514 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

261^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 514 Washington Middle Schools

Better than 49% of Washington middle schools

Summary

Vista Middle School is a public school serving about 550 students in grades 6–8 in Ferndale, a Whatcom County community near Bellingham. Part of the Ferndale School District, it has a 17.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio and a 55.64% free/reduced-price lunch rate. Vista ranks at the 49th percentile among Washington middle schools—near the middle statewide—and performs better than the district’s overall 34th-percentile standing.

Vista’s clearest local strength is science. In 2025–26, 46.75% of students were proficient in science, compared with 24.22% at nearby Horizon Middle School. Vista also outperformed Horizon in English language arts and math and ranked considerably higher overall. Vista exceeded Mount Baker Junior High and Shuksan Middle School in all three subjects. However, leading Bellingham schools—including Kulshan Middle School, Fairhaven Middle School, and Whatcom Middle School—reported substantially higher proficiency across the board.

Academically, Vista’s main concern is math, especially sixth grade: 27.86% of sixth graders were proficient, while the all-grade math rate was 35.29%. ELA proficiency was 45.27%, and science was 46.75%, all below Washington averages. ELA has declined from 55.02% in 2022–23, and the school’s ranking fell from the low 60th percentiles to 49th percentile in recent years. Eighth-grade math and science are relative bright spots. The school may benefit from a stronger sixth-grade math transition, renewed ELA support, and focused attention to low-income and Hispanic student-group outcomes. Its results are mixed locally: generally stronger than several nearby schools, but below higher-performing options and some comparable schools such as Nooksack Valley Middle School.

550

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,184

Per pupil spending ?

55.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

6051 Vista Drive
Ferndale, WA 98248-1328

(360) 383-9370

District: Ferndale School District

Students who attend Vista Middle School usually attend:

High:

Ferndale High School

Feeder schools for Vista Middle School:

Elementary:	Beach Elementary
	Cascadia Elementary
	Central Elementary
	Skyline Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.4%

Hispanic:

24.7%

Two or more races:

9.3%

See top rated Washington middle schools

Compare Vista Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 51st percentile in 2016 → 49th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (41% vs 48% meeting standards)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school41%

District avg41%

Washington avg48%

261^st of 514

Washington public middle schools ?

Bottom 49%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Washington Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Middle 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	45.8	261 of 514	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	45.4	274 of 534	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.2	216 of 535	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.4	201 of 539	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.8	197 of 541	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.5	235 of 529	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	41.3	306 of 512	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.7	245 of 437	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	44.8	239 of 435	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	49.1	216 of 443	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	28.6	320 of 445	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	54.5	228 of 498	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2012	64.8	155 of 497	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	62.4	161 of 492	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.6	126 of 483	73.9%	★★★★☆
2009	60.7	166 of 476	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	61.5	161 of 466	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2007	70.9	104 of 463	77.5%	★★★★☆
2006	79.5	69 of 449	84.6%	★★★★☆
2005	74.9	95 of 425	77.6%	★★★★☆
2004	78.3	72 of 421	82.9%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	35.0	97 of 147	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.6	57 of 145	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	19.4	137 of 161	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2018	47.3	51 of 135	62.2%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	44.2	238 of 443	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.5	236 of 471	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.6	203 of 464	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.0	197 of 464	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.7	172 of 479	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.4	205 of 469	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.3	266 of 452	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	33.9	256 of 376	31.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	25.5	272 of 347	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	25.4	272 of 347	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	45.1	172 of 344	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.3	162 of 336	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.5	147 of 360	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.7	151 of 353	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.6	184 of 344	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.4	167 of 259	35.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	35.3	297 of 453	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.5	312 of 457	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.1	177 of 455	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.0	221 of 463	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.6	224 of 475	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.2	234 of 458	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.2	254 of 448	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	41.6	211 of 349	39.5%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	45.9	233 of 454	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.5	266 of 472	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	56.8	180 of 466	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.0	177 of 470	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.5	187 of 480	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.8	200 of 476	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	37.9	277 of 453	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.7	187 of 371	49.6%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	49.5	109 of 222	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	49.2	116 of 246	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	33.7	163 of 243	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	69.9	62 of 244	74.6%	★★★★☆
2022	50.6	121 of 257	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	34.1	166 of 250	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.9	163 of 246	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.2	83 of 166	50.0%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	67.5	3 of 9	66.7%	★★★★☆
2021	44.4	6 of 11	45.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	81.1	2 of 15	86.7%	★★★★★
2018	25.8	10 of 12	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2023	31.0	112 of 167	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.1	96 of 199	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	22.8	180 of 210	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.7	190 of 231	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.6	191 of 268	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	54.1	200 of 453	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.7	197 of 488	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.3	149 of 486	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.3	156 of 488	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.9	150 of 488	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.9	159 of 480	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	37.0	321 of 470	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.3	205 of 325	36.9%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Native American (2022)67th percentile+3 vs school

English Language Learner (2018)62nd percentile+18 vs school

White (2026)56th percentile+7 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)51st percentile~ school

Male (2026)49th percentile~ school

Female (2026)46th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)34th percentile-15 vs school

Asian (2025)34th percentile-15 vs school

Special Education (2023)33rd percentile-30 vs school

Hispanic (2026)22nd percentile-28 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

Science47%-4 vs state

English Language Arts45%-8 vs state

Math35%-8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Vista Middle 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 8th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	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 6th Grade	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Vista Middle School	Public	6-8	6051 Vista Drive	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 383-9370	550	32	17.1	55.6%	277 (50.4%)	12 (2.2%)	136 (24.7%)	32 (5.8%)	34 (6.2%)	8 (1.5%)	51 (9.3%)	45.8	261^st of 514 public middle schools	49.2%		45.4	274^th of 534 public middle schools	48.7%	13	46.8	46.8	40.2	52.6	43.7	45.3	27.9	40.0	39.3	35.3	$19,184	$1,383	$17,801
Horizon Middle School	Public	6-8	2671 Thornton Road	Ferndale	98248	Whatcom County	Ferndale School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 383-9850	433	25	17.1	55.4%	233 (53.8%)	6 (1.4%)	101 (23.3%)	13 (3.0%)	43 (9.9%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (8.5%)	27.2	372^nd of 514 public middle schools	27.6%		38	318^th of 534 public middle schools	40.4%	54	24.2	24.2	30.9	45.6	36.2	38.0	32.4	38.0	16.4	29.7	$20,342	$1,599	$18,743
Meridian Middle School	Public	6-8	861 Ten Mile Road	Lynden	98264	Whatcom County	Meridian School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 398-2291	350	22	16.2	53.1%	208 (59.4%)	2 (0.6%)	88 (25.1%)	25 (7.1%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (6.6%)	54.2	212^th of 514 public middle schools	58.8%		58.8	199^th of 534 public middle schools	62.7%	13	44.4	44.4	52.5	53.7	51.4	52.5	32.8	47.7	33.6	37.8	$18,417	$364	$18,052
Shuksan Middle School	Public	6-8	2717 Alderwood Ave	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6454	606	36	16.7	52.1%	318 (52.5%)	12 (2.0%)	186 (30.7%)	25 (4.1%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	57 (9.4%)	42.6	281^st of 514 public middle schools	45.3%		38	320^th of 534 public middle schools	40.1%	39	43.2	43.2	42.1	57.2	45.5	48.3	27.0	39.6	25.0	30.5	$19,715	$1,712	$18,003
Whatcom Middle School	Public	6-8	810 Halleck St	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6460	637	34	18.5	42.4%	375 (58.9%)	6 (0.9%)	133 (20.9%)	48 (7.5%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (9.6%)	76.5	109^th of 514 public middle schools	78.8%		72.7	119^th of 534 public middle schools	77.7%	10	62.0	62.0	48.0	59.7	58.4	56.0	54.9	54.2	57.0	55.4	$17,842	$320	$17,522
Lynden Middle School	Public	6-8	8750 Line Rd	Lynden	98264	Whatcom County	Lynden School District	No	No	No	Yes	(206) 354-2952	705	37	18.9	47.5%	419 (59.4%)	6 (0.9%)	210 (29.8%)	41 (5.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.8%)	51.8	223^rd of 514 public middle schools	56.6%		45	276^th of 534 public middle schools	48.3%	53	43.6	43.6	55.6	53.9	44.0	50.8	42.4	35.0	33.9	37.0	$15,117	$657	$14,461
Fairhaven Middle School	Public	6-8	110 Park Ridge Rd	Bellingham	98225	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-6450	588	32	18.1	40.8%	393 (66.8%)	8 (1.4%)	91 (15.5%)	33 (5.6%)	5 (0.9%)	2 (0.3%)	55 (9.4%)	80.8	91^st of 514 public middle schools	82.3%		80.2	93^rd of 534 public middle schools	82.6%	2	68.7	68.7	56.7	64.7	60.6	60.6	46.5	60.6	53.1	53.3	$17,779	$314	$17,465
Kulshan Middle School	Public	6-8	1250 Kenoyer Dr	Bellingham	98229	Whatcom County	Bellingham School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 676-4886	575	33	17.6	28.7%	422 (73.4%)	4 (0.7%)	73 (12.7%)	13 (2.3%)	4 (0.7%)	3 (0.5%)	54 (9.4%)	83.8	77^th of 514 public middle schools	85.0%		81.5	90^th of 534 public middle schools	83.1%	13	64.0	64.0	65.8	67.7	54.7	63.0	64.5	61.6	50.0	59.0	$18,256	$607	$17,649
Blaine Middle School	Public	6-8	975 H Street	Blaine	98230	Whatcom County	Blaine School District	No	No	No	Yes	(360) 332-8226	471	23	20.3	46.1%	298 (63.3%)	6 (1.3%)	104 (22.1%)	26 (5.5%)	4 (0.8%)	2 (0.4%)	31 (6.6%)	46.5	255^th of 514 public middle schools	50.4%		40.1	307^th of 534 public middle schools	42.5%	52	44.0	44.0	31.3	50.3	51.1	44.7	29.0	40.0	46.5	38.8	$17,958	$615	$17,342
Nooksack Valley Middle School	Public	6-8	404 W. Columbia St.	Everson	98247	Whatcom County	Nooksack Valley School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 966-7561	469	25	18.7	58.4%	248 (52.9%)	1 (0.2%)	175 (37.3%)	4 (0.9%)	18 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.7%)	52.2	221^st of 514 public middle schools	57.0%		44.2	280^th of 534 public middle schools	47.6%	59	39.7	39.7	51.9	52.8	37.0	47.2	41.4	45.1	41.7	42.6	$16,808	$696	$16,112

Frequently Asked Questions about Vista Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Vista Middle School?

Students at Vista Middle School are 50% White, 25% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 6% American Indian, 6% Asian, 2% African American, 1% Pacific Islander.

What district is Vista Middle School in?

Ferndale School District

How many students attend Vista Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 550 students attended Vista Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Vista Middle School attend?

Students who attend Vista Middle School usually go on to attend Ferndale High School

Is Vista Middle School a good school?

Vista Middle School ranks 261^st of 514 Washington middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Vista Middle School!

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Latest Washington data All new data »

2016–17 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

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

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.