Best Public Schools in Zip Code 98247

ZIP code 98247 has four public schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, all part of the Nooksack Valley School District. Together, the schools enroll 1,689 students, and the district ranks in the 64th percentile statewide with a three-star rating. The schools serve broadly similar student populations, with about 55% to 59% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Nooksack Elementary is the strongest overall performer, ranking in the 70th percentile and exceeding Washington averages in English language arts, math, and science. Its science proficiency is especially strong at 62.12%, and its ranking improved substantially over the past year. Everson Elementary ranks in the 58th percentile and has shown steady improvement, with particularly good math and science results; however, its English language arts performance, especially in third grade, is a concern. Nooksack Valley Middle School also improved its ranking to the 57th percentile, but science proficiency remains low and eighth-grade English language arts is notably weaker than sixth- and seventh-grade performance.

Nooksack Valley High School has the area’s strongest English language arts result and a 91.1% graduation rate, well above the state rate of 82.6%. Its math performance is near the state average, but science is a significant weakness, and its ranking has declined from the 72nd to the 61st percentile over three years. Overall, elementary schools are the area’s clearest strength, while science at the secondary level deserves attention. Families comparing schools should also note that student-teacher ratios are lower in the elementary schools, ranging from 15.5 to 16.1 students per teacher, compared with about 19 to 1 at the middle and high schools.