Sudden Valley’s public schools outscore 66% of Washington districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Sudden Valley, 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.
Sudden Valley’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 269 Washington towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sudden Valley’s, its schools beat 61%, lower 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 ↓
14 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. 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.
What’s behind Sudden Valley’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 Sudden Valley, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Sudden Valley · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
10th grade in Sudden Valley · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
11th grade in Sudden Valley · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
12th grade in Sudden Valley · depends on your address
Squalicum High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Bellingham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Sehome High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Bellingham
Sudden Valley’s public schools are run by Bellingham School District, which also serves Bellingham. 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
Sudden Valley vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Sudden Valley’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sudden Valley | B+ | Bellingham |
Every school in Sudden Valley
21 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).
Questions about Sudden Valley’s schools
Are Sudden Valley’s schools good?
By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Sudden Valley 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 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sudden Valley in?
Bellingham School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,337 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sudden Valley 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 Sudden Valley’s graduation rate?
79% of the class of 2023 in Bellingham School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.
How much does Sudden Valley spend per student?
$18,143 in Bellingham School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Sudden Valley families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sudden Valley → 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.