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C+
Schools in Big Lake · Sedro-Woolley School District

Big Lake’s public schools score below 63% of Washington districts on tests and graduation

In Big Lake, 33% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Big Lake, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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.

Reading proficiency
44%
▼ 9 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
33%
▼ 7 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.8K
▲ 2% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.0
WA 17.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
2,238 students on the public path
In brief

Big Lake’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 235 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Big Lake’s, its schools beat 19%, lower than their 37% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,768 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Cascade Middle School, then Sedro Woolley Senior High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Big Lake’s grade

C+ Test scoresC− Graduation

C+: better than 37% of Washington school districts. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 37%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (235)Better than 19%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,225 test results and a graduating class of 368 could put Big Lake anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Big Lake’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,222 in math, 2,228 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Lake, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–6Big Lake Elementary SchoolSedro-Woolley School DistrictNo scores
7–8Cascade Middle Schoolin Sedro-WoolleyNo scores
9–12Sedro Woolley Senior High Schoolin Sedro-WoolleyNo scores

Big Lake’s public schools are run by Sedro-Woolley School District, which also serves Hamilton, Lyman and Sedro-Woolley. Parts of Big Lake (7% of its land) are served by Mount Vernon 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.

Sedro-Woolley School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 4,600 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 19.0 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$18,768WA $18,444 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 53.4% · 2228 students tested
Math33%
State average 40.1% · 2222 students tested

Big Lake vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Big Lake’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Big LakeC+Sedro-Woolley
Mount VernonC−Mount Vernon

Every school in Big Lake

3 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).

District schools in Big Lakeby address
Big Lake Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–6 · Mount Vernon
288 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Big Lakein other towns
Cascade Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Sedro-Woolley
670 students20:1Rate it →
Sedro Woolley Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Sedro-Woolley
1,280 students22:1Rate it →

Questions about Big Lake’s schools

Are Big Lake’s schools good?

On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Big Lake children attend score below 63% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Big Lake in?

Sedro-Woolley School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,600 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Big Lake are served by Mount Vernon.

Where do Big Lake kids go to high school?

Sedro Woolley Senior High School in Sedro-Woolley, with 1,280 students.

What is Big Lake’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Sedro-Woolley School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Big Lake spend per student?

$18,768 in Sedro-Woolley School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Big Lake families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Lake → 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.