Photo: Public domain · Public domainFerndale’s public schools score below 59% of Washington districts on tests and graduation
34% of students in Ferndale’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Washington average (40%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ferndale, 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 97% 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.
Ferndale’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 276 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ferndale’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,473 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Meadows Montessori School (private) and Providence Christian School NW (private) are in town. Ferndale Virtual Academy, 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 Ferndale’s grade
C+: better than 41% of Washington school districts, #209 of 285 Washington towns. Both inputs trail the Washington average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ferndale, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Ferndale · depends on your address
Central Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 315 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Mountain View Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 101 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ferndale · depends on your address
Ferndale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Ferndale Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 154 students
10th grade in Ferndale · depends on your address
Ferndale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Ferndale Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 154 students
11th grade in Ferndale · depends on your address
Ferndale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Ferndale Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 154 students
12th grade in Ferndale · depends on your address
Ferndale High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,325 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Ferndale Virtual Academy
Grades K–12 · 154 students
Ferndale’s public schools are run by Ferndale School District. Parts of Ferndale (2% of its land) are served by Bellingham 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.
Well below the state in reading
Ferndale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Ferndale’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ferndale | C+ | Ferndale |
Every school in Ferndale
13 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Ferndale Special Services).
Questions about Ferndale’s schools
Are Ferndale’s schools good?
On Washington’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ferndale children attend score below 59% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #209 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ferndale in?
Ferndale School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,746 students in 13 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Ferndale are served by Bellingham.
Where do Ferndale kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Ferndale High School and Ferndale Virtual Academy.
What is Ferndale’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Ferndale School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Ferndale spend per student?
$19,473 in Ferndale School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ferndale?
Yes: Meadows Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 114 students) and Providence Christian School NW (religious, grades PK–11, 40 students).
Parents talk
What Ferndale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ferndale → 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.