Very Good
#374 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 17% in state
Alderwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Bellingham School District
3400 Hollywood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#5 of 27
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#329 of 1,202
In district
#5 of 24
Bellingham School District
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Alderwood Elementary School
Alderwood Elementary School is a regular public school located in Bellingham, Washington, within Whatcom County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 282 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, Alderwood offers personalized attention to its young learners.
Alderwood Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Washington state schools. Academically, the school scores a 3.1/10 with 44% of students proficient or above in science, 33% in reading and ELA, and 25% in math. While these numbers indicate there is room for academic growth, Alderwood focuses on student development and providing a supportive learning environment.
The school’s setting is in a mid-size suburb where families can find both the comfort of small-town living and access to urban amenities.
Score Breakdown
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Alderwood Elementary School — Students at Alderwood Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How Alderwood Elementary School Compares
See how Alderwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 26% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32.5% (2024).
Location
3400 Hollywood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alderwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham | 1.1 mi | — |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 1.2 mi | — |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 1.7 mi | 4.1 |
| ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Columbia Elementary School Bellingham | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham | 2.1 mi | — |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Whatcom Middle School Bellingham | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham | 3.0 mi | — |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 2.7 mi | — |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 2.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98225 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,220
Median Home Value
$588,800
Median Rent
$1,430/mo
Population
50,355
College Educated
48.3%
Homeownership
41%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alderwood Elementary School has a median household income of $62,220. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $588,800, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BERTSCHI SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 7.9 |
| Columbia Elementary School Wenatchee, WA | 7.9 |
| Columbia Elementary School Woodland, WA | 7.9 |
| Creekside Elementary School Mead, WA | 7.9 |
| EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellevue, WA | 7.9 |
| Impact Public Schools Tacoma, WA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alderwood Elementary School
What grades does Alderwood Elementary School serve?
Alderwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Alderwood Elementary School?
Alderwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alderwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Alderwood Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alderwood Elementary School rank in WA?
Alderwood Elementary School is ranked #374 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Alderwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alderwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Alderwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alderwood Elementary School has 25.2% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Alderwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Alderwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alderwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Alderwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alderwood Elementary School?
72.3% of students at Alderwood Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 282
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Whatcom County
- Phone
- (360) 676-6404
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bellingham School District- District Enrollment
- 11,487
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,886
- District Rank
- #5 of 24
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 methodologyRelated reading
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