Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Bellingham’s public schools outscore 66% of Washington districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bellingham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.
From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bellingham’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 215 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bellingham’s, its schools beat 75%, higher than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,143 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Intergenerational High School, The Franklin Academy (private), Franklin Academy (private), Assumption Catholic School (private), Montessori at Samish Woods (private), Cedar Tree Montessori (private), Blue Heron Montessori School (private), Explorations Academy (private), Cascades Montessori Middle School (private), The Robert Williams School of Arts Sciences (private), Alger Learning Center- Inc. (private) and Independence High School (private) are in town. Bellingham Re-Engagement Program, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bellingham’s grade
B+: better than 66% of Washington school districts, #122 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores are above the Washington average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bellingham, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Bellingham · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bellingham · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bellingham · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bellingham · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Bellingham’s public schools are run by Bellingham School District. Parts of Bellingham (3% of its land) are served by Meridian instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Bellingham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Bellingham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | B+ | Bellingham |
Every school in Bellingham
33 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Visions (Seamar Youth Center), Blaine Re-Engagement and Meridian Impact Re-Engagement).
Questions about Bellingham’s schools
Are Bellingham’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bellingham children attend outscore 66% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #122 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 75%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bellingham in?
Bellingham School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,337 students in 25 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Bellingham are served by Meridian.
Where do Bellingham kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Squalicum High School, Bellingham High School and Sehome High School.
What is Bellingham’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Bellingham School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Bellingham spend per student?
$18,143 in Bellingham School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bellingham?
Yes: The Franklin Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 396 students), Franklin Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 396 students), Assumption Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 256 students), Montessori at Samish Woods (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 77 students), Cedar Tree Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 73 students), Blue Heron Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 42 students), Explorations Academy (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 38 students), Cascades Montessori Middle School (nonsectarian, grades 7–8, 36 students), The Robert Williams School of Arts Sciences (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 23 students), Alger Learning Center- Inc. (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 22 students) and Independence High School (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 22 students). Bellingham also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Bellingham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bellingham → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.