Best Schools in Bellingham, Washington
46 schools · 26 Elementary · 5 Middle · 12 High · 3 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $77,324
- Median home value
- $573,967
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
42% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bellingham compares
Washington rank
#47 of 192
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Washington avg (6.3)
Median household income
$77k
87% of Washington median
Schools in this city
38
About Schools in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham's public school system covers 27 ranked schools with an average score of 6.6 out of 10. That average sits comfortably above the midpoint, and the spread matters: 13 of those 27 schools — 48 percent — score 7 or higher, meaning nearly half the district's options clear a meaningful performance threshold. Parents have real choices here, not just one or two standout exceptions carrying the city's reputation.
The strongest performers cluster at the elementary level. Parkview Elementary and Silver Beach Elementary both score 8.2 out of 10, the highest marks in the city. Northern Heights Elementary follows at 8.1, and Alderwood Elementary rounds out the top elementary tier at 7.9. The middle school picture is equally encouraging: Kulshan Middle School scores 8.1, making it one of the top-performing schools in Bellingham regardless of grade level. Families with children spanning elementary and middle school years have a connected pathway of high-scoring options.
The 6.6 city average reflects a realistic mix. While 13 schools exceed the 7-point threshold, the remaining 14 fall below it — some likely by a small margin, others more significantly. Parents researching specific neighborhoods should check individual school scores rather than assuming proximity to a high performer guarantees a similar-quality assignment. Boundary lines matter here, and the gap between Bellingham's top schools and its lower-scoring ones is wide enough to influence decisions about where to live.
Practically speaking, Bellingham is a competitive but navigable market for school-focused families. The density of 7-plus-rated schools — nearly half the city's total — means strong options exist across multiple parts of the city, not concentrated in a single zone. Elementary-age families have the deepest pool to choose from. For middle school, Kulshan's 8.1 score stands out as a reliable anchor. Parents should use individual school pages to cross-reference scores, enrollment size, and program offerings before drawing conclusions from neighborhood reputation alone.
Elementary Schools
26 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 387 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 342 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 420 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 4 | 282 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 5 | 342 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 6 | 424 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 7 | 294 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.7 | ||
| 8 | 315 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 9 | 468 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 10 | 362 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 11 | 210 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 12 | 328 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 | ||
| 13 | 373 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 14 | 308 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 15 | 222 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 16 | 292 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.5 | ||
| 17 | 353 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.0 | ||
| Private Schools 9 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
183 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY
Private
263 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | ST PAUL'S ACADEMY
Private
266 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI
Private
61 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL
Private
163 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
344 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS
Private
65 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI
Private
2 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Show 1 more elementary schools
| 9 | BLUE HERON MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Private
7 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated |
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 599 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 581 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 578 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 | ||
| 4 | 639 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | CASCADES MONTESSORI MIDDLE
Private
31 students · 7th–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
12 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,241 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,188 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 102 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 4 | 206 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 5 | 1,175 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 6 | 537 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 7 | 69 students · 9th–12th | 4.1 | ||
| 8 | 5 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
| 9 | 10 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| 10 | 12 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| 11 | 145 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY
Private
40 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 254 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.1 | ||
| 2 | 25 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Private
18 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Bellingham
Bellingham, Washington · 46 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$77,324
Median Home Value
$573,967
Median Rent
$1,507/mo
Population
130,013
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Community Profile
Bellingham has a median household income of $77,324. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $573,967, with a median rent of $1,507/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Washington
- Total Schools
- 46
- Elementary
- 26
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 12
- Districts
- 7
- Avg Rating
- 6.6/10
Resources
School Districts (7)
Northwest Educational Service District 189
5 schools · 28 students
Intergenerational High School
1 school · 69 students
Bellingham School District
25 schools · 11,487 students
Meridian School District
6 schools · 1,903 students
Mount Baker School District
7 schools · 1,607 students
Lummi High School
1 school · 145 students
Lummi Nation Tribal School
1 school · 294 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Washington
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Bellingham, Washington
How many schools are in Bellingham, Washington?
Bellingham has 46 schools, including 34 public and 12 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bellingham, Washington?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bellingham is 6.6 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Bellingham, Washington?
The top-ranked school in Bellingham on MySchoolScout is Assumption Catholic School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bellingham, Washington?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bellingham on MySchoolScout is Assumption Catholic School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Bellingham, Washington?
The top-ranked middle school in Bellingham on MySchoolScout is Kulshan Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Bellingham, Washington?
The top-ranked high school in Bellingham on MySchoolScout is Explorations Academy with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve Bellingham, Washington?
Bellingham is served by 7 school districts: Northwest Educational Service District 189, Intergenerational High School, Bellingham School District, Meridian School District, Mount Baker School District, Lummi High School, Lummi Nation Tribal School.
What is the education level in Bellingham, Washington?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Bellingham have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bellingham, Washington?
The median household income in Bellingham is approximately $77,324 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Bellingham, Washington?
Yes, Bellingham has 12 private schools alongside 34 public schools. The top-rated private school is Assumption Catholic School with a score of 8.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bellingham, Washington?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bellingham is 14.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bellingham, Washington?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Washington Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.