Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 98248

This analysis covers two public middle schools (grades 6-8) in Ferndale, WA (ZIP 98248), both part of the Ferndale School District, which provide a direct comparison of performance and resources within the same community.

Among these schools, Vista Middle School consistently shows stronger academic results than Horizon Middle School, with higher state rankings and better proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math. Interestingly, Horizon receives significantly more funding per student but has lower test scores, a notable point for the district to examine. Both schools perform below Washington state averages in core subjects but are close to the state average in 8th-grade science, indicating a relative strength area.

Parents should note that both schools serve student populations with similar economic backgrounds. A key trend is that math scores dip in 8th grade at both schools, suggesting a common challenge. While Vista is the higher performer, its ranking has declined over recent years, whereas Horizon has shown some improvement from a lower starting point. Overall, families in this area are served by two schools facing similar district-wide challenges but with clear differences in current academic outcomes.